Chicago, IL Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- Rule
- Possession, sale, use all banned
- Possession fine
- $200-$500 civil fine per day
- Use/sale penalty
- Misdemeanor, up to 30 days jail
- Public display permit
- Fire Commissioner permit + alderman consent
- Enforcing agency
- Chicago Fire Department
Summary
Possessing, using, or selling fireworks is banned citywide except for permitted public displays; violators face civil fines up to $500 or criminal fines and jail for use, sale, or manufacture.
No person shall have, keep, store, use, manufacture, assemble, mix, sell, handle or transport any fireworks; provided, however, that nothing in this chapter shall be held to apply to the possession or use of signaling devices for current daily consumption by railroads, vessels and others requiring them or to the possession, sale or use of normal stocks of flashlight compositions by photographers or dealers in photographic supplies; and provided further, that the Fire Commissioner may issue permits for the display of fireworks as hereinafter provided.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-74: Current through Council Journal of June 17, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Chicago Municipal Code § 15-20-220 bans having, keeping, storing, using, manufacturing, assembling, mixing, selling, handling, or transporting any fireworks anywhere in the city, with only narrow exceptions for railroad/vessel signaling devices and photographic flash compositions. The Fire Commissioner can issue a permit for a public fireworks display under § 15-20-240, but the applicant must give the ward alderman 10 days' written notice and attach the alderman's written consent. Possessing, storing, or transporting fireworks draws a civil fine of $200-$500 per offense per day under § 15-20-221(a); using, selling, assembling, mixing, or manufacturing fireworks is a misdemeanor carrying a $250-$500 fine and up to 30 days in jail under § 15-20-221(b).
Violations & Fines
Civil fine of $200-$500/day for possessing, storing, or transporting fireworks; criminal misdemeanor with $250-$500 fine and up to 30 days jail for using, selling, or manufacturing them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are sparklers legal in Chicago?
Can I get a permit for a fireworks show?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chicago
How Chicago compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·Compare Chicago to another location·View the Illinois fire regulations overview
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Fireworks in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle fireworks.