North Carolina bans nearly all consumer fireworks. Only ground-based, non-aerial, non-explosive items - sparklers, fountains, snakes, and party poppers - are legal anywhere in Durham County. Firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles, and any aerial or exploding device are illegal statewide.
Under NCGS 14-410 it is unlawful to possess, sell, or discharge 'any pyrotechnics' in North Carolina, except the limited items G.S. 14-414 exempts: wire sparklers (up to 100g), ground sparkling devices (up to 75g per tube, 200g total), snakes, smoke devices, and trick noisemakers. These cannot detonate, spin, or propel into the air. Durham grants no local waiver, so the state ban applies fully in both the city and unincorporated county. Only licensed operators may run a permitted public aerial display. Buyers must be at least 16.
Selling or discharging illegal fireworks is a Class 2 misdemeanor under NCGS 14-415, punishable by a fine and up to 60 days.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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