Newark, OH Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- Core ban
- No discharge, ignition or explosion of fireworks in the municipality
- Consumer fireworks
- 1.4G only, on private property with owner authorization
- Allowed days
- Ten listed holiday periods each year
- Local control
- Municipality can restrict dates and times or ban use
- Minimum age to buy
- 18 years of age
- Exhibition bond
- At least one million dollars bond or insurance
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor of the first degree
Summary
In the City of Newark, Ohio, no person can discharge fireworks except a licensed exhibitor or someone using 1.4G consumer fireworks on private property, with the owner's permission, on listed holidays. Violations are first-degree misdemeanors.
(2) Except as provided in division (f)(8), R.C. §§ 3743.45 and 3743.80 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, and except for licensed exhibitors of fireworks authorized to conduct a fireworks exhibition pursuant to R.C. §§ 3743.50 through 3743.55 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, no person shall discharge, ignite, or explode any fireworks in this municipality. ... B. Any person authorized under this division (f)(8) to possess 1.4G fireworks in this state may discharge, ignite, or explode those fireworks on private property, with authorization from the property owner, on the following days each year: 1. January 1st; 2. Chinese new year’s day; 3. May 5th; 4. The last Monday in May, and the Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding that day; 5. June 19th; 6. July 3rd, 4th, and 5th; ... 10. December 31st. ... (j) Penalty. (1) Except as otherwise provided in division (j)(2) or (j)(3) of this section, whoever violates any provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.
Full Breakdown
Section 672.12 of the Newark Code of Ordinances adopts Ohio's fireworks scheme as a city ordinance, so Newark police and the Division of Fire enforce it in the municipal court. Division (f)(2) is the core ban: no person shall discharge, ignite, or explode any fireworks in the municipality, except as division (f)(8) and the cited state provisions allow, and except licensed exhibitors authorized to run a public exhibition.
Division (f)(8) opens a narrow window for consumer-grade 1.4G fireworks. A buyer must obtain them only from a licensed retailer, manufacturer or wholesaler. Use is allowed on private property, with authorization from the property owner, on ten listed days each year: January 1st, Chinese new year's day, May 5th, the last Monday in May plus the Saturday and Sunday before it, June 19th, July 3rd, 4th and 5th, the first Friday, Saturday and Sunday before and after July 4th, the first Monday of September plus the Saturday and Sunday before it, Diwali, and December 31st. Fireworks fired under this division are not a public exhibition.
Division (f)(8)D lets the municipality restrict the dates and times of that use or ban it outright, and division (f)(8)E keeps the noise, disturbance of the peace and disorderly conduct ordinances in force. Division (f)(7) makes it an offense to negligently set off fireworks on another person's property without permission, and (f)(6) covers discharging while under the influence of liquor, beer or a controlled substance. Division (f)(4) bars selling fireworks to anyone under 18. Division (e) requires a licensed exhibitor to apply to the Fire Chief or fire prevention officer and the Police Chief for a signed permit, with an indemnity bond or insurance of at least one million dollars. Division (i) forfeits fireworks used in violation.
Violations & Fines
Under Section 672.12(j), whoever violates the section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, which Section 698.02(c) caps at 180 days in jail. Violating (f)(6), discharging while impaired, is also a first-degree misdemeanor. Violating (f)(7), discharging on another person's property without permission, is a minor misdemeanor. Fireworks used in violation are forfeited under division (i).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set off fireworks in Newark, Ohio on the Fourth of July?
What fireworks days does Newark list besides July 4th?
Can I fire fireworks on someone else's land?
Do noise and disorderly conduct rules still apply on fireworks days?
Who approves a public fireworks display in Newark?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Newark
How Newark compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·Compare Newark to another location·View the Ohio fire regulations overview
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