Dane County, WI Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- Scope
- county-owned or leased land only
- Permit exception
- Wis. Stat. § 167.10(2)(a) permit
- Forfeiture
- $10–$200 per violation
- Statute adopted
- Wis. Stat. § 167.10 incorporated
- Enforcing agency
- Dane County Sheriff's Department
Summary
Dane County Code § 34.05 bars anyone from bringing or possessing fireworks containing an explosive or flammable compound on any land the county owns or leases, county parks, forests, and other county property, unless a state permit under Wis. Stat. § 167.10(2)(a) authorizes the display. Violators face a $10–$200 forfeiture.
34.05 POSSESSION OF FIREWORKS REGULATED. (1) No person shall bring upon or have in his or her possession any fireworks containing any explosive or flammable compound or any other explosive upon any lands owned or leased by the County of Dane, except as authorized by a valid permit issued pursuant to section 167.10(2)(a) of the Wisconsin Statutes. This section shall not be construed to conflict with section 167.10 of the statutes. (2) Statutory offenses adopted. (a) This subsection is intended to provide a prosecutorial alternative for acts which may otherwise be violations of state law.
Full Breakdown
05 prohibits possessing fireworks containing any explosive or flammable compound, or any other explosive, on any land owned or leased by Dane County, which includes county parks and other county-held property, unless the person holds a valid permit issued under Wis. 10(2)(a), the state's fireworks-permit statute for public displays. The ordinance is written narrowly to reach county land rather than every private yard in the unincorporated area, and sub. 10, in as an adopted local offense: any act the statute prohibits is separately prohibited by this county ordinance, giving the county its own prosecutorial track through county court rather than relying solely on the state to charge violations.
10, so state-permitted displays, certified pyrotechnic operators, and the narrow categories of low-hazard 'novelties' the state statute exempts from its permit requirement remain lawful even on county land, while unpermitted possession of consumer fireworks such as aerial shells, firecrackers, or Roman candles on county property is not.
Violations & Fines
A § 34.05 violation carries a forfeiture of $10 to $200 under the Chapter 34.99(2) schedule, plus court costs and costs of prosecution under § 34.99(1). Because sub. (2) adopts Wis. Stat. § 167.10 as a local offense, the same conduct can also be charged under the state statute, which carries its own separate penalties for unpermitted fireworks use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set off fireworks in a Dane County park?
Does this ban apply on my own private property?
What's the penalty for violating the county fireworks rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dane County
How Dane County compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·Compare Dane County to another location·View the Wisconsin fire regulations overview
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