Sarasota County, FL Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sarasota County Code § 58-4
- AHJ
- Sarasota County Fire and Rescue District
- Temporary permit term
- Up to 90 days
- Annual permit term
- Up to 12 months
- First suspension
- 14 days
- Repeat suspension
- 180 days within 24 months
- Required liability coverage
- $1,000,000 combined single limit
Summary
Sarasota County bans selling, exposing for sale, or exploding fireworks outside narrow state-law exceptions, and requires anyone selling fireworks to hold a permit from the Sarasota County Fire and Rescue District. Sellers must screen every buyer, keep sales records for four years, and carry $1,000,000 in liability coverage.
Except as provided in F.S. § 791.02, 791.04, or 791.07, or 791.08, Florida Administrative Code, Rule 5A-3.001 or under division 2 of this article, or any other exception within state law, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, or corporation to offer for sale at wholesale or retail, expose for sale at wholesale or retail, or use or explode any fireworks within the County... The Sarasota County Fire and Rescue District, as the Authority Having Jurisdiction, is authorized to issue permits, which shall be required for all sales of fireworks within Sarasota County subject to the limitations of F.S. ch. 791... The first suspension shall be for a period of 14 days. In the event of any successive violations of this ordinance or the provisions of F.S. ch. 791, occurring within 24 months of a suspension of permit under this section, the seller's permit to sell fireworks shall be suspended for a period of 180 days.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 98).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 001, or under division 2 of the article. The Sarasota County Fire and Rescue District, acting as the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), issues Temporary Fireworks Sales Permits (capped at 90 days) and Annual Fireworks Sales Permits (capped at 12 months); a permit fee is set by Board of County Commissioners resolution. Applicants must prove registration with the Division of the State Fire Marshal, disclose everyone with a financial interest in the inventory, list every sales location and its manager, and show evidence of financial responsibility under Resolution 2003-267.
Sellers must retain a sworn, notarized purchaser affidavit, keep on-site sales records (buyer name, address, ID type and number) for four years from the sale date, and display all required permits, registrations, and licenses at each site. 04, firecrackers purchased to frighten birds (a statement stamped by the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office), railroad or transportation-agency purchases, and quarrying, blasting, or industrial purchases. 015. ch. 440; letting that coverage lapse after a permit issues is itself a violation.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 58-4 is enforced by the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office or any law enforcement officer, Fire Marshal, Fire Chief, or Code Enforcement Officer in the County, with penalties set under Florida Statutes. Selling without required permits triggers an immediate order to stop sales until corrective action is taken; the seller must then secure the inventory in a locked off-premises facility or cease operations. A first conviction followed by a second violation of this division or F.S. ch. 791 within 12 months suspends the seller's permit for 14 days; a further violation within 24 months of that suspension triggers a 180-day suspension. A notice of violation paid without a court appearance still counts as a finding of violation for suspension purposes, and parents or guardians are responsible for violations committed by minors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell fireworks in Sarasota County without a permit?
How long are Sarasota County fireworks records kept?
What happens if a fireworks seller violates the ordinance twice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sarasota County
How Sarasota County compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Sarasota County to another location·View the Florida fire regulations overview
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