Fort Lauderdale, FL Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- State holiday window
- January 1, July 4 and December 31 only
- State authority
- Fla. Stat. 791.08, added by ch. 2020-11
- Manufacture in city
- Prohibited within corporate limits (Sec. 13-55(b))
- Display permit lead time
- 15 days, with a $75 late fee
- Display application fee
- $375 plus $125 per extra inspector-hour
- Insurance for displays
- $5,000,000 per occurrence and aggregate
- Permit issuer
- Fort Lauderdale fire marshal or designee
Summary
Florida law lets fireworks be used solely and exclusively on three designated holidays: New Year's Day (January 1), Independence Day (July 4) and New Year's Eve (December 31). In Fort Lauderdale that holiday window sits beside a city ban on manufacturing fireworks and a mandatory fire marshal permit for any public pyrotechnic display.
(1) As used in this section, the term “designated holiday” means: (a) New Year’s Day, January 1; (b) Independence Day, July 4; or (c) New Year’s Eve, December 31. (2) This chapter does not prohibit the use of fireworks solely and exclusively during a designated holiday. This section is not intended to provide for the comprehensive regulation of fireworks as described in s. 10(5), chapter 2007-67, Laws of Florida, or to supersede any local governmental regulation relating to the use of fireworks as provided in s. 10(5), chapter 2007-67, Laws of Florida. (3) The Legislature does not intend for the application of this section to supersede any prohibition against the use of fireworks contained within a legally executed and properly recorded declaration of covenants or covenant running with the land of any homeowners’ association pursuant to chapter 720. However, a homeowners’ association, through a board of directors, may not promulgate rules that attempt to abrogate a homeowner’s right to use fireworks during a designated holiday or under general law. History. — s. 1, ch. 2020-11.
Full Breakdown
The state rule is Fla. Stat. 791.08, added by chapter 2020-11. Subsection (1) defines a designated holiday as exactly three dates: January 1, July 4 and December 31. Subsection (2) says chapter 791 does not prohibit the use of fireworks solely and exclusively during one of those holidays, so use on any other day of the year falls outside the exemption. The same subsection states that it is not intended to supersede any local governmental regulation relating to the use of fireworks as provided in s. 10(5), chapter 2007-67, Laws of Florida, which keeps Fort Lauderdale's own fireworks ordinance in force.
That local ordinance is Code of Ordinances Sec. 13-55. It bars the manufacture of any fireworks within the corporate limits and defines fireworks by reference to Florida Statutes chapter 91. Under Sec. 13-55(f), nobody may sponsor, conduct or participate in a pyrotechnics display without a permit, and the fire marshal or a designee issues it. The application goes in at least fifteen days before the display, excluding weekends and holidays. An application filed fourteen days or less ahead carries a $75 late fee. The nonrefundable application fee is $375 and includes the first two hours of a single fire inspector fire watch; each additional hour per inspector costs $125.
Every application needs a certificate of insurance showing $5,000,000 in general liability coverage per occurrence and aggregate, with the city named as additional insured, plus a site plan with the fallout area, a list of the devices, the property owner's letter of consent, the technician's ATF federal explosives license, FAA approval when the site is within five miles of an airport, and Coast Guard approval for displays over the Atlantic Ocean or the intracoastal waterways. A permit cannot be transferred, and the sale, possession, use and distribution of the fireworks is lawful for that display only.
Subsection (3) of the state statute adds a private layer. Recorded homeowners' association covenants under chapter 720 can still prohibit fireworks, but an association board cannot adopt rules that abrogate a homeowner's right to use fireworks during a designated holiday or under general law.
Violations & Fines
The city enforces Sec. 13-55 through the fire marshal and the fire-rescue department. Running a pyrotechnics display without a permit is unlawful for the sponsor, the operator and every participant. The fire inspector monitoring a permitted show has authority to modify, delay or cancel it if it endangers people or property, and the applicant pays for that monitoring. Manufacturing fireworks inside city limits is prohibited outright. Outdoor event agreements under Sec. 15-183 also require a fire-rescue fireworks permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
On which days can I use fireworks in Fort Lauderdale?
Do I need a permit for a public fireworks show in Fort Lauderdale?
Can my homeowners' association ban fireworks on July 4?
Can fireworks be manufactured inside Fort Lauderdale?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Lauderdale
How Fort Lauderdale compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Fort Lauderdale to another location·View the Florida fire regulations overview
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Fireworks in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Broward County handle fireworks.