Somerville, MA Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- State law
- MGL c.148 s.39
- Status
- All consumer fireworks illegal
- Possession fine
- Up to 100 dollars
- Sale penalty
- Up to 1,000 dollars or 1 year
- Enforcement
- Somerville Police and Fire
Summary
All consumer fireworks are illegal in Massachusetts, including Somerville. Possession, sale, and use are criminal offenses with fines and confiscation by the Somerville Fire Department.
Section 39. No person shall sell, or keep or offer for sale, or have in his possession, or under his control, or use, or explode, or cause to explode, any combustible or explosive composition or substance, or any combination of such compositions or substances, or any other article, which was prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or detonation. For the purposes of this section the word ''fireworks'' shall include compositions, substances or other articles and shall also include blank cartridges or toy cannons in which explosives are used, the type of toy balloon which requires fire underneath to propel the same, firecrackers, cherry bombs, silver salutes, M–80's, torpedoes, sky-rockets, Roman candles, sparklers, rockets, wheels, colored fires, fountains, mines, serpents, or other fireworks of like construction or any fireworks containing any explosive or flammable compound, or any tablets or other device containing any explosive substance. Whoever shall sell or keep for sale or offer for sale any fireworks in violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year or both. [...] Whoever shall have in his possession or under his control, or whoever shall use or explode or cause to explode any fireworks in violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than ten dollars nor more than one hundred dollars.
Full Breakdown
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 148 Section 39 prohibits the possession, sale, and use of all consumer fireworks by private individuals. This includes sparklers, firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles, and aerial shells. Massachusetts is one of the only states with a complete ban. Penalties under MGL c.148 s.39 include fines up to 100 dollars for possession, up to 1,000 dollars or one year imprisonment for sale, and confiscation of all fireworks. The Somerville Fire Department and Somerville Police actively enforce the ban, particularly around July 4th. Only licensed professional pyrotechnicians may conduct displays, and only with a state-issued permit and municipal approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are sparklers legal in Somerville?
Can I buy fireworks out of state and use them here?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Somerville
How Somerville compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·Compare Somerville to another location·View the Massachusetts fire regulations overview
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Fireworks in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle fireworks.