Newton, MA Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- Legal Status
- Illegal statewide
- State Law
- MGL c.148 s.39
- Possession Fine
- Up to 100 dollars
- Sale Penalty
- Up to 1,000 dollars
- Exception
- Licensed displays only
Summary
All consumer fireworks are ILLEGAL in Newton and throughout Massachusetts under MGL c.148 s.39; possession, sale, or use carries fines and potential criminal charges.
Section 39. No person shall sell, or keep or offer for sale, or have in his possession, or under his control, or use, or explode, or cause to explode, any combustible or explosive composition or substance, or any combination of such compositions or substances, or any other article, which was prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or detonation. For the purposes of this section the word ''fireworks'' shall include compositions, substances or other articles and shall also include blank cartridges or toy cannons in which explosives are used, the type of toy balloon which requires fire underneath to propel the same, firecrackers, cherry bombs, silver salutes, M–80's, torpedoes, sky-rockets, Roman candles, sparklers, rockets, wheels, colored fires, fountains, mines, serpents, or other fireworks of like construction or any fireworks containing any explosive or flammable compound, or any tablets or other device containing any explosive substance. Whoever shall sell or keep for sale or offer for sale any fireworks in violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year or both. Whoever shall have in his possession or under his control, or whoever shall use or explode or cause to explode any fireworks in violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than ten dollars nor more than one hundred dollars.
Full Breakdown
Massachusetts is one of the only states in the nation where consumer fireworks are completely illegal under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 148 Section 39. This includes sparklers, bottle rockets, firecrackers, Roman candles, and any device containing explosive or flammable compounds intended for pyrotechnic effect. Purchasing fireworks legally in New Hampshire and bringing them into Massachusetts is also illegal. Newton Police and Fire Department actively enforce the ban, particularly around July 4th and New Year Eve. Violations carry fines up to 100 dollars for possession and up to 1,000 dollars plus potential jail time for sale. Only licensed professional displays permitted by the State Fire Marshal and Newton Fire Department are lawful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are sparklers legal in Newton?
Can I bring fireworks from New Hampshire for personal use?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Newton
How Newton compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·Compare Newton to another location·View the Massachusetts fire regulations overview
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Fireworks in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle fireworks.