Kenosha County, WI Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- County Code § 9.01 (WS 167.10 adoption)
- State law adopted
- Wis. Stat. § 167.10, fireworks regulation
- Penalty
- $100 to $2,000 forfeiture per violation
- Fireworks stands
- Board of Adjustment approval required
Summary
Kenosha County Code § 9.01 adopts Wisconsin's fireworks statute, Wis. Stat. § 167.10, in full, replacing its penalty with a county forfeiture of $100 to $2,000 per violation. Anyone selling, possessing, or discharging fireworks without meeting the state law's permit and exemption terms is subject to that county fine, on top of any state enforcement action.
WS 167.10 REGULATION OF FIREWORKS The provisions of Wisconsin Statutes Section 167.10 and any subsequent amendments are adopted except that the penalty upon conviction is a forfeiture not less than $100 nor more than $2,000.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 37 (2026), passed March 17, 2026).
Full Breakdown
10 REGULATION OF FIREWORKS it adopts Wis. 10 and any future amendments to it, substituting a county forfeiture of not less than $100 nor more than $2,000 for the statute's own penalty. Because the county incorporates the state fireworks statute wholesale rather than writing a separate local fireworks code, the underlying definitions, permit process, and exemptions for items such as sparklers and other statutorily excluded devices come from state law, while the fine for violating them is set locally. 040(d) lists a fireworks stand among the temporary uses that require approval from the Kenosha County Board of Adjustment before operating, alongside similar seasonal uses such as Christmas tree lots and produce stands, on top of any state fireworks-seller permit.
As with the rest of Chapter 9, this adoption is a countywide public-peace ordinance, not limited to the unincorporated towns the way Chapter 12 zoning is, so the forfeiture applies wherever Kenosha County has jurisdiction to enforce it, while cities and villages may separately regulate fireworks discharge within their own limits.
Violations & Fines
A person who violates Wis. Stat. § 167.10 as adopted by § 9.01, for example by discharging or possessing fireworks without the permit or exemption the state statute requires, forfeits not less than $100 nor more than $2,000 under the county's substituted penalty. A retailer who operates a fireworks stand without the Board of Adjustment approval required by § 12.23.040(d) is separately subject to zoning enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Kenosha County have its own fireworks law?
Do I need county approval to run a fireworks stand?
What's the fine for illegal fireworks in Kenosha County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kenosha County
How Kenosha County compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·Compare Kenosha County to another location·View the Wisconsin fire regulations overview
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