Hennepin County, MN Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- State Statute
- Minn. Stat. §§624.20-624.25
- Year Sparklers Legalized
- 2002
- Legal
- Sparklers, fountains, snakes, smoke devices
- Sparkler Limit
- 100 g pyrotechnic mixture per item
- Fountain Limit
- 75 g per tube, 500 g total
- Always Illegal
- Aerials, firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles
- Min. Buyer Age
- 18 (photo ID required)
- Max. Fine
- $3,000 (misdemeanor under §624.25)
Summary
Aerial and explosive consumer fireworks are illegal statewide in Minnesota under Minn. Stat. §§624.20-624.25. Only non-aerial, non-explosive 'sparkling items' - wire/wood sparklers (up to 100 g of mixture), cone/tube fountains (up to 75 g per tube, 500 g total), snakes, smoke devices, and trick noisemakers - have been legal since the 2002 amendment to §624.20. Use is restricted to private property. Buyers must be 18+. Violations are misdemeanors with fines up to $3,000.
624.20 FIREWORKS. Subdivision 1. Regulation. (a) As used in sections 624.20 to 624.25, the term "fireworks" means any substance or combination of substances or article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or an audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or detonation, and includes blank cartridges, toy cannons, and toy canes in which explosives are used, the type of balloons which require fire underneath to propel them, firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, Roman candles, daygo bombs, sparklers other than those specified in paragraph (c), or other fireworks of like construction, and any fireworks containing any explosive or inflammable compound, or any tablets or other device containing any explosive substance and commonly used as fireworks.
(c) The term also does not include wire or wood sparklers of not more than 100 grams of mixture per item, other sparkling items which are nonexplosive and nonaerial and contain 75 grams or less of chemical mixture per tube or a total of 500 grams or less for multiple tubes, snakes and glow worms, smoke devices, or trick noisemakers which include paper streamers, party poppers, string poppers, snappers, and drop pops, each consisting of not more than twenty-five hundredths grains of explosive mixture. The use of items listed in this paragraph is not permitted on public property. This paragraph does not authorize the purchase of items listed in it by persons younger than 18 years of age. The age of a purchaser of items listed in this paragraph must be verified by photographic identification. Subd. 2. Explosive fireworks. As used in sections 624.20 to 624.25, the term "explosive fireworks" means any fireworks that contain pyrotechnic or flash powder, gunpowder, black powder, or any other explosive compound constructed to produce detonation or deflagration.
Full Breakdown
Minnesota fireworks law is found at Minn. 25. 20 redefined 'fireworks' to exclude certain non-explosive, non-aerial items, effectively legalizing sparklers, ground-based fountains, snakes, smoke devices, and trick noisemakers. 20, subd. 1(c): wire or wood sparklers with not more than 100 grams of pyrotechnic mixture per item; cylindrical or cone fountains and other non-aerial, non-explosive 'sparkling items' with not more than 75 grams of pyrotechnic mixture per tube and 500 grams total per package; snakes and glow worms; smoke devices; and trick noisemakers (paper streamers, party poppers, snappers, drop pops with minimal explosive content).
All other fireworks remain illegal: bottle rockets, firecrackers, Roman candles, skyrockets, missiles, mortars, parachutes, mines, shells, M-80s, cherry bombs, daygo bombs, chasers, and any device that explodes, detonates, deflagrates, or leaves the ground. Sale and possession of consumer fireworks is restricted to persons 18 and older, who must show photographic ID. Use is restricted to private property - public parks, streets, alleys, sidewalks, and school property are off-limits. Public fireworks displays require a permit issued under Minn. 22 by the local fire authority. ) may impose more restrictive ordinances and routinely ban all fireworks in city parks and during fire restrictions. 25. Fines can reach $3,000 depending on quantity and circumstances.
Violations & Fines
Sale, possession, or use of any aerial or explosive consumer fireworks (firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles, skyrockets, mortars, etc.) is a misdemeanor under Minn. Stat. §624.25, with fines up to $3,000. Use of legal sparkling items on public property (streets, parks, sidewalks, schools) is also a misdemeanor. Sale to a minor is a separate misdemeanor under §624.21. Reckless use that causes a fire can lead to arson charges and full civil liability for fire suppression and property damage costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I shoot off bottle rockets or firecrackers in Hennepin County?
Where can I legally use sparklers in Hennepin County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hennepin County
How Hennepin County compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·Compare Hennepin County to another location·View the Minnesota fire regulations overview
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