Harford County is stricter than Maryland at large. Aerial consumer fireworks are illegal statewide, and Harford also prohibits ground-based sparkling devices. Only handheld gold-label sparklers and novelties like snappers remain legal.
Maryland Public Safety §10-101 defines fireworks to include rockets, Roman candles, firecrackers, and other aerial or explosive devices, all of which are illegal for consumers statewide; only the State Fire Marshal may permit a professional display. The statute excludes handheld sparklers without chlorates or perchlorates and nonaerial, nonexplosive ground-based sparkling devices from the fireworks definition. Harford County, however, joins Ocean City and Howard County in banning even ground-based sparklers, so fountains sold elsewhere in Maryland are not lawful in Bel Air, Aberdeen, Havre de Grace, or anywhere in the county. That leaves only gold-label handheld sparklers and novelty items such as party poppers, snap pops, and snakes. Aberdeen Proving Ground is federal land with its own rules.
Possessing or discharging aerial fireworks or prohibited ground-based sparklers is a misdemeanor. Devices are seized, and violators face fines and criminal charges under the Public Safety Article, with a professional display requiring a State Fire Marshal permit.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Harford County, MD
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Harford County, MD
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Harford County, MD
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