Portland, ME Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Portland Code § 17-32
- First-offense use fine
- $200-$400 plus costs
- First-offense sale fine
- $500 minimum plus costs
- Repeat-offense sale fine
- $1,000+ per violation
- Exception
- City/State display permit, 8 M.R.S.A. § 227-A
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 36-11/12, 9-19-2011
Summary
Portland Code of Ordinances Sec. 17-32 bans using, possessing with intent to use, selling or offering to sell consumer fireworks anywhere in the city. The only carve-out is a fireworks display permit issued by the City of Portland and/or the State of Maine under 8 M.R.S.A. § 227-A. Violators face fines starting at $200 for use and $500 for sale, with steeper penalties for repeat offenses.
(b) Prohibition. No person shall use, possess with the intent to use, sell, possess with the intent to sell or offer for sale consumer fireworks in the City of Portland.* (c) Exception. This section does not apply to a person issued a fireworks display permit by the City of Portland and/or the State of Maine pursuant to 8 M.R.S.A. §227-A. (d) Penalties. (1) Any person who uses consumer fireworks or possesses consumer fireworks with the intent to use in the City of Portland shall be punished by a fine of not less than two hundred dollars ($200.00) and not more than four hundred dollars ($400.00) plus costs.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
11 and requires 3rd-party CPSC certification, but expressly excludes missile-type rockets, helicopters and aerial spinners as defined by the State Fire Marshal, and "sky rockets and bottle rockets" (tubes with no more than 20 grams of chemical composition and a guide stick). § 227-A. Subsection (e) authorizes the City to seize consumer fireworks it has probable cause to believe were used, possessed or sold in violation of the section, and to forfeit seized fireworks to the State for disposal. § 223) already prohibits all fireworks except consumer fireworks, Portland's local ban on consumer fireworks effectively bans the discharge of all fireworks citywide.
Separately, Sec. 17-31 bars selling toy balloons inflated with hydrogen or another flammable/explosive gas, and Sec. 7-138 (Chapter 7, Cemeteries) independently prohibits discharging firearms or fireworks within city cemeteries. The ordinance was adopted by Ord. No. 36-11/12 on 9-19-2011.
Violations & Fines
Using consumer fireworks or possessing them with intent to use: fine of $200 to $400 plus costs for a first offense, rising to $300 to $600 per violation plus costs for a second or subsequent offense. Selling consumer fireworks or possessing them with intent to sell: minimum $500 plus costs for a first offense, at least $1,000 per violation plus costs for repeat offenses. The City may also seize and forfeit the fireworks to the State.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set off fireworks in Portland, Maine?
What is the fine for using fireworks in Portland?
Can stores sell fireworks in Portland?
Does Portland's fireworks ban cover sparklers or novelty items?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Portland
How Portland compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·Compare Portland to another location·View the Maine fire regulations overview
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