Reading, PA Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)

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 repealed Act 43 of 2017 and re-established the rules under which Pennsylvania residents aged 18 and older may purchase and use consumer-grade fireworks (firecrackers,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.