Hampden County has no operational county government and does not regulate fireworks. Massachusetts is the only state in the U.S. that bans ALL consumer fireworks. Under M.G.L. c. 148 §39, possession, sale, or use of any fireworks is illegal — including sparklers, firecrackers, Roman candles, and bottle rockets. Enforcement is by State Police and local fire marshals in Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee, Westfield, and Agawam.
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 148, Section 39 prohibits any person from selling, keeping or offering for sale, possessing, using, exploding, or causing to be exploded any combustible or explosive composition or substance, or any combination of substances, or any article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or detonation. The statute specifically lists firecrackers, cherry bombs, M-80s, sparklers, Roman candles, sky-rockets, and similar devices as banned items — making MA the strictest fireworks jurisdiction in the United States. Hampden County government was abolished July 1, 1998 under M.G.L. c. 34B; all former county functions transferred to state agencies. There is no Hampden County fireworks ordinance because there is no county legislative body. Limited exceptions under c. 148 §39 cover supervised public displays (which require a permit from the local fire marshal under M.G.L. c. 148 §39A and inspection by the Department of Fire Services), railroad/transportation signaling, theatrical productions, and certain agricultural/industrial uses. Importing fireworks from neighboring states (Connecticut, New Hampshire) for personal use remains illegal in MA — the State Police routinely set up enforcement details near the CT and NH borders, including in Hampden County which borders Connecticut. Local enforcement is by each municipality's fire department: Springfield Fire Prevention Bureau, Holyoke Fire Department, Chicopee Fire Department, Westfield Fire Department, and Agawam Fire Department all enforce within their jurisdictions.
Under M.G.L. c. 148 §39, sale or offering for sale of fireworks is punishable by a fine of $100 to $1,000, imprisonment up to one year, or both, plus forfeiture of the fireworks. Possession or use is punishable by a fine of $10 to $100 plus seizure and forfeiture. Each individual firework can be charged as a separate offense. Local fire chiefs are authorized to seize fireworks on sight under c. 148 §54. A licensed display without a permit from the head of the fire department violates c. 148 §39A and may trigger additional civil penalties.
Hampden County, MA
Hampden County has no operational county government - it was abolished July 1, 1998 under M.G.L. c. 34B §1 - so there is no countywide noise ordinance. Massa...
Hampden County, MA
Hampden County has no county government (abolished 7/1/1998 under M.G.L. c. 34B §1), so fence rules are set by each city/town's zoning bylaw under M.G.L. c. ...
Hampden County, MA
Hampden County has no county government (abolished 7/1/1998 under M.G.L. c. 34B §1), so leash laws are set by each city/town. Massachusetts has no statewide ...
Hampden County, MA
Hampden County has no government and sets no STR parking rules. Massachusetts has no statewide STR parking standard; off-street parking minimums come from ea...
Hampden County, MA
Hampden County has no government and sets no STR occupancy limits. Massachusetts has no statewide STR occupant cap; limits derive from the State Building Cod...
Hampden County, MA
Hampden County government was abolished in 1998 and does not impose STR taxes. Massachusetts levies a 5.7% state room occupancy excise under MGL c.64G. Each ...
See how Hampden 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.