North Carolina bans most consumer fireworks countywide. Only non-aerial, non-explosive novelties (wire sparklers, fountains, snakes, smoke devices, party poppers) are allowed. Firecrackers, Roman candles, bottle rockets and all aerial shells are illegal statewide, including Forsyth County.
Under N.C.G.S. 14-410 it is unlawful to manufacture, sell, possess, use, or discharge "pyrotechnics." N.C.G.S. 14-414 exempts only ground-based, non-explosive items that cannot propel through the air: wire sparklers (up to 100 grams), snakes/glow worms, smoke devices, trick noisemakers (party poppers, snappers, up to 16 mg), and hand-held sparkling devices (up to 75 grams per tube, 200 grams total). Anything that explodes, detonates, or shoots into the air, including firecrackers, Roman candles, bottle rockets, mortars and aerial shells, is illegal anywhere in North Carolina. Licensed public displays require a permit under N.C.G.S. 14-413.
Illegal fireworks are a Class 2 misdemeanor under N.C.G.S. 14-410, punishable by fines and up to 60 days in jail. Local fire marshals and police enforce.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
forsyth-county-nc
Home backyard composting is allowed in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County. There is no ordinance requiring or banning it, but a compost pile must not become a nuis...
forsyth-county-nc
Neither Winston-Salem nor Forsyth County has a specific ordinance banning or mandating artificial turf for home lawns. Its use is governed by general zoning,...
forsyth-county-nc
Since 2024 Winston-Salem lets residents replace lawns with registered Natural Landscape Areas of native plants. Turf grass must stay under eight inches, area...
forsyth-county-nc
Collecting rainwater is legal in North Carolina, and no county or city may prohibit cisterns or rain barrels used for irrigation. Forsyth County sets no ban....
forsyth-county-nc
North Carolina has no statewide homeowner watering ban, and there is no permanent year-round schedule in Winston-Salem/Forsyth. Mandatory odd/even watering d...
forsyth-county-nc
Winston-Salem defines 'rank noxious vegetation' over eight inches as a nuisance, including non-native grasses, invasive plants, poisonous plants, and untende...
See how Forsyth County's fireworks rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.