Consumer fireworks in Reading, PA are governed primarily by Pennsylvania Act 74 of 2022 (codified at 3 Pa. C.S.A. Chapter 24, which repealed and replaced the Consumer Fireworks Act / Act 43 of 2017), and locally by Chapter 225 of the Reading Codified Ordinances together with Section 180-1407 amendments to IFC Section 5601. Fireworks may not be discharged within 150 feet of an occupied structure, and Reading City Council has elected to restrict hours of use to 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. (extended to 1:00 a.m. on July 4 and December 31).
Pennsylvania Act 74 of 2022 (3 Pa. C.S.A. Sections 2401 et seq.) repealed Act 43 of 2017 and re-established the rules under which Pennsylvania residents aged 18 and older may purchase and use consumer-grade fireworks (firecrackers, Roman candles, bottle rockets, and similar 1.4G devices). The statute imposes a statewide 150-foot setback: 'A person may not ignite, discharge or otherwise use consumer fireworks... within 150 feet of an occupied structure, whether or not a person is actually present.' The 150-foot zone applies to any structure or vehicle, including ones owned by the user. Consumer fireworks may not be used within 150 feet of an animal housing facility or fenced livestock area without 72-hour written notice to the owner when the user is 150 to 300 feet away. Act 74 expressly authorizes municipalities to restrict hours of use, with the floor being no use between 10:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. except July 4 (and the immediately preceding and following Friday/Saturday if July 4 falls midweek) and December 31, when use is permitted until 1:00 a.m. Reading enforces these limits through Chapter 225 (Fireworks) of the Codified Ordinances and through Section 180-1407, which renumbers IFC 3301.1.3 to 5601.1.3 in the local amendments. Display fireworks (1.3G) and use on public or commercial property in Reading require a Fire Marshal-issued permit under IFC 5601.2.1 and a state license under Act 74. Because Reading is a dense 3rd-class city, the 150-foot setback effectively bans backyard fireworks in most residential blocks - a 150-foot circle cannot fit within a typical Reading row-house parcel.
Violation of Act 74's setback or hours is a summary offense punishable by a fine of $100 to $500 under 3 Pa. C.S.A. Section 2407, with possible confiscation of the fireworks. Reading Chapter 225 carries a separate municipal fine, typically up to $1,000 per offense, plus restitution for any fire suppression response. Discharging fireworks while intoxicated, on public or another person's property without consent, or in a manner that causes a fire is a separate offense and may upgrade to a misdemeanor under 18 Pa. C.S.A. Sections 3301 (arson) or 5503 (disorderly conduct).
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