Rapides Parish, LA Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)

The Rapides Parish Police Jury regulates fireworks under two sections of Chapter 19 of the parish code. Sec. 19-4 makes it unlawful to shoot or explode firecrackers or fireworks of any kind within twenty-five yards of a public road, within fifty yards of a church or schoolhouse, within any residential subdivision the police jury has approved under the parish's subdivision ordinance, within twenty-five yards of such a subdivision, or in the direction of a residence, business, or other public facility. The rule reaches every unincorporated area of the parish, wherever the Police Jury rather than a municipal council has jurisdiction. A violation carries a fine of up to one hundred dollars or up to ten days in jail, or both, at the court's discretion.

Sec. 19-4.1 separately governs the stands and booths that sell fireworks in the unincorporated parish. Every booth, stand, or building used to sell fireworks must be of rigid metal, wood, stone, or masonry construction; tents are barred outright, and no booth may be built of plastic or canvas. Customers must stay outside the structure while selecting and buying fireworks, and the booth must be built so it can be completely enclosed and locked during nonbusiness hours. Before selling to the public, the operator must have the fire marshal inspect the booth and obtain all state and local permits and licenses, and each booth needs its own electrical service or meter, inspected before hookup. These sales rules took effect July 10, 1991, and violating them is a misdemeanor punishable by up to five hundred dollars or thirty days in the parish jail, or both.