Fireworks in the City of Sarasota are regulated under Chapter 14 (Fire Prevention) plus Florida Statute Chapter 791. Consumer aerial fireworks are legal only on July 4, December 31, and January 1 per F.S. §791.08; sparklers meeting the F.S. §791.01(8) definition are legal year-round. All other display fireworks require professional permits.
Florida HB 6037 (2020) codified at F.S. §791.08 legalized consumer aerial fireworks on three statutory holidays (July 4, December 31, January 1) and preempted local bans on those dates. Sarasota's Chapter 14 still requires professional pyrotechnic display permits issued by the Sarasota City Fire Marshal for any other public discharge. Sparklers, snakes, and ground-based fountains meeting F.S. §791.01(8) are legal year-round. The Sarasota Fire Department (which has merged operations with Sarasota County Fire) enforces public-display permits and prosecutes unlawful aerial discharge outside the three statutory holidays. Sec. 20-7(21) of the noise ordinance exempts permitted fireworks displays.
Unpermitted aerial firework discharge outside the three statutory holidays violates F.S. §791.06 - a first-degree misdemeanor (up to 1 year jail, $1,000 fine). City Code Chapter 14 violations can carry additional municipal penalties up to $500 per offense under Sec. 1-11. Negligent fire spread can be charged as arson under F.S. §806.13.
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