Gary, IN Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)

Section 22-52 of Gary's fire code regulates fireworks in two tiers: consumer fireworks used by residents, and public fireworks displays operated for an audience. For consumer use, § 22-52(b) requires the Common Council to adopt a resolution before March 31 each year fixing the exact days and hours fireworks may be discharged, but the ordinance sets floors the council cannot shrink: 5:00 p.m. to two hours after sunset on June 29 through July 3 and July 5 through July 9; 10:00 a.m. to midnight on July 4; and 10:00 a.m. on December 31 through 1:00 a.m. on January 1.

Any season adopted must also stay consistent with the state fireworks statute, IC 22-11-14. Public fireworks displays are a separate, stricter track under § 22-52(c): the operator needs a permit from both the city fire chief and the state fire marshal, must carry a certificate of insurance of at least $10,000 for injury and $10,000 for property damage, and must remove display structures within 24 hours (48 hours for a multi-day permitted season) and clean up debris within 150 feet of the site within 12 hours.

Advertising signage for a display is capped at two signs no larger than 32 square feet each. Violations of § 22-52 are civil infractions with graduated fines under § 22-52(e): $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second, and $500 for a third or subsequent offense, and the fire chief may also close an offending business pending investigation. The definitions in § 22-52(a) track the state's fireworks classifications under IC 22-11-14, including consumer fireworks, special fireworks, and firecrackers, and expressly exclude model rockets, toy caps, and emergency flares from regulation.