Harrisburg, PA Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)

Fireworks are regulated in Chapter 3-345, Weapons and Explosives, of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Harrisburg. Section 3-345.3, Possession or discharge of fireworks, carries the history note Ord. No. 20-1910 and reads as a flat prohibition, not a permit scheme. It covers four separate acts: selling, offering for sale, having in one's possession or custody, and firing or exploding. The named items are any toy pistol, squib, rocket, cracker, Roman candle, fire balloon or other combustible firework, and the ban also reaches any article for the making of pyrotechnic display, so supplies are covered along with finished products.

Possession alone is enough. A person does not have to light anything to be in violation, and the words possession or custody reach an item stored in a home, car or business within the City of Harrisburg. The section prints no consumer exception, no holiday window and no licensing path for private individuals.

The single exception protects government shows. The section states that nothing in it prohibits municipal authorities from giving pyrotechnical displays of fireworks in the public parks. That exception belongs to municipal authorities, so a private group or business cannot rely on it for its own display.

Chapter 3-345 sits in the General Offenses part of Title 3, and § 3-345.99 sends every violation of the chapter to Chapter 3-399, Penalty. Under § 3-399.99, personal property, including a motor vehicle, used in connection with activity that violates a provision of that part can be seized at the time of arrest and permanently forfeited upon conviction, in addition to the fine or jail term. The City can also pursue any other remedy available at law or in equity, and prosecution under the City code does not block prosecution under other City, state or federal law.