Tennessee allows consumer (Class C/1.4G) fireworks statewide, but local governments may restrict them. In practice, discharging fireworks without a permit is treated as illegal across unincorporated Shelby County and inside Memphis, where the city code bars nearly all fireworks activity absent a city permit.
Under Tennessee Code Title 68, Chapter 104, consumer fireworks are legal statewide unless a county or municipality restricts them by ordinance or law. T.C.A. Section 68-104-116 lets cities 'regulate, restrict, or totally prohibit the sale of fireworks within the city.' Memphis exercises that authority: Memphis City Code Section 94.02 makes it unlawful to sell, possess, use, or explode any fireworks except pursuant to a city-issued permit, with narrow exceptions for certain low-power consumer items. The Shelby County Fire Department advises that shooting fireworks without a permit is illegal in both Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County, and violators face confiscation and fines. Public and commercial displays require a state fire marshal permit plus local approval.
Discharging fireworks without a required permit can result in confiscation and a fine. In Memphis, unpermitted fireworks activity violates City Code Section 94.02. Public displays without a state fire marshal permit are separately unlawful under Tennessee law.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Shelby County's fireworks rules stack up against other locations.
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