Burlington, NC Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)

Burlington City Code Section 12-37 bans discharging any firecracker, fireworks, explosive material or other pyrotechnics as defined in G.S. 14-414 within the city limits unless the person follows the public-display procedure set out in G.S. 14-413. The fire chief alone may authorize a public fireworks display by certified individuals, and only under conditions and limitations the city council has adopted. Anyone wanting to put on a display must file a bond or certificate of liability insurance with the city clerk, covering damages from the display, plus an umbrella policy in an amount the city's risk management department approves; both the bond and the insurance certificate need the city attorney's sign-off.

The fire chief will not issue the required permit until the applicant has complied with every provision of Section 12-37 and the applicable fire prevention codes. Because the section states it applies to all persons whether or not they are otherwise exempt under the Code of Ordinances, there is no blanket exemption for civic groups, churches or private property owners. This is a public-display permitting scheme, not a consumer-fireworks sales law: Burlington's code does not carve out any category of legal backyard or novelty fireworks, so unpermitted discharge of any regulated device is a violation regardless of size or type. Enforcement runs through the fire marshal's office rather than the police department, reflecting the chapter's placement in the fire prevention title.