Carmel adopted a local ordinance under Indiana Code 22-11-14-10.5 limiting the days and hours consumer fireworks may be discharged. The city publishes specific permitted windows around the Fourth of July, New Year's, and Diwali; discharge outside those windows is restricted.
Consumer fireworks are legal statewide in Indiana, but IC 22-11-14-10.5 lets a municipality adopt an ordinance regulating the days and hours fireworks may be used within city limits, so long as the ordinance does not prohibit the protected dates the statute reserves. Carmel exercised that authority because the rising frequency of displays was causing a nuisance. According to the City's published fireworks guidance, consumer fireworks may be discharged in Carmel only during these windows: June 29-July 3 and July 5-9 between 5:00 p.m. and two hours after sunset; July 4 between 10:00 a.m. and midnight; from 10:00 a.m. on December 31 until 1:00 a.m. on January 1; and on the day before and day of Diwali between 5:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. The June 29-July 9, July 4, and New Year windows mirror the state-protected hours in IC 22-11-14-10.5. The City notes that fireworks use is also governed by its Public Nuisances, Noise Regulations, and Park Operations ordinances. Discharge on public streets, sidewalks, rights-of-way, and in city parks is restricted under those provisions.
Discharging fireworks outside the permitted days and hours, or in prohibited locations such as city parks, public streets, or rights-of-way, can trigger enforcement under Carmel's nuisance and noise ordinances. The person who ignites fireworks is generally liable for any resulting property damage or injury.
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