Erie, PA Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)

Pennsylvania Act 74 of 2022 (3 Pa. C.S.A. Sections 2401 et seq.) repealed Act 43 of 2017 and re-established the rules under which Pennsylvania residents aged 18 and older may purchase and use consumer-grade fireworks (firecrackers, Roman candles, bottle rockets, and similar 1.4G devices). Act 74 imposes a statewide 150-foot setback: a person may not ignite, discharge, or otherwise use consumer fireworks within 150 feet of an occupied structure, regardless of who owns the structure or whether a person is actually present. The 150-foot zone applies to occupied structures and vehicles. Act 74 expressly authorizes municipalities to restrict hours of use, with the floor being no use between 10:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. except July 2, 3, and 4 (and the immediately preceding/following Friday and Saturday if July 4 falls on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday), and December 31, when use is permitted until 1:00 a.m. The City of Erie has issued public reminders about Act 74 compliance and enforces these limits through the Bureau of Fire Prevention. Display fireworks (1.3G) and any commercial use require a permit from the City Fire Marshal under IFC 5601.2.1 and a state license under Act 74. Because Erie is a dense urban core (population approximately 94,800 in 6.0 sq mi), the 150-foot setback effectively bans backyard fireworks in most residential blocks - a 150-foot circle generally cannot fit within a typical Erie city lot.