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Arapahoe County, CO Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Operating window
June 15 through July 7 only
Residential districts
Fireworks stands not permitted
Setback from residential structures
75 feet minimum
Setback from property lines
50 feet minimum
Customer parking required
15 spaces minimum
Permit fee
$500 + refundable $250 cleanup deposit
On-site pyrotechnic storage cap
125 lbs net weight

Summary

Fireworks stands are banned from residential zoning districts in unincorporated Arapahoe County and can't operate before June 15 or after July 7. LDC § 3-3.13.G requires a permit costing $500 plus a refundable $250 cleanup deposit, proof of insurance, and 15 customer parking spaces.

City-specific rules exist: Aurora has its own fireworks rules that differ from Arapahoe County's county-level regulations. If you live in Aurora, check the city-specific page instead.

G. FIREWORKS STANDS Fireworks stands shall be permitted upon compliance with the following provisions:

1. Fireworks stands shall not be permitted in residential zoning districts.

2. Fireworks stands shall not be permitted within 75 feet of residential structures.

3. Fireworks stands shall be located no closer than 50 feet from all property lines.

4. Proof of compliance with Arapahoe County Ordinance No. 86-1 shall be submitted with an application for a fireworks stand permit, including proof of insurance.

5. A minimum of 15 parking spaces are to be provided for customers. ... 8. No stand shall be permitted to operate prior to June 15th or after July 7th. ... 12. Permit fees shall be $500.00 plus a $250.00 deposit which is refundable if the permittee completely cleans up the site and calls for a clean-up inspection prior to July 13.

Source: Arapahoe County Fireworks InfoView official code

Full Breakdown

G lists a dozen conditions a fireworks stand must meet before it can operate on unincorporated county land. Location rules bar stands from residential zoning districts entirely and require them to sit at least 75 feet from any residential structure and at least 50 feet from all property lines. The operating window is fixed at June 15 through July 7: no stand may open before or run after those dates. Applicants must submit proof of compliance with Arapahoe County Ordinance No. 86-1, including proof of insurance, provide at least 15 customer parking spaces, get access approval from the PWD Engineering Services Division, and locate the stand within a fire protection district while meeting that district's fire code and the county's Building Code standards for temporary structures.

On-site pyrotechnic storage is capped at 125 pounds net weight of composition (or 25 percent of gross weight including packaging if net weight isn't otherwise known), though storage above that limit is allowed if kept in an approved magazine outside the sales area, at least 100 feet from inhabited buildings, 20 feet from property lines, 30 feet from parking, and 50 feet from flammable liquids or fuels. Applicants need proof of site occupancy, such as a lease, and the permit itself costs $500 plus a $250 deposit, refundable only if the permittee fully cleans up the site and calls for a clean-up inspection before July 13.

Violations & Fines

Operating a fireworks stand outside the June 15–July 7 window, inside a residential district, or without the required Ordinance No. 86-1 compliance documentation and insurance violates LDC § 3-3.13.G's permit conditions; failing to clean up and request the post-season inspection before July 13 forfeits the $250 cleanup deposit, and noncompliant stands are subject to Planning Division enforcement to correct or shut down the operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can a fireworks stand operate in unincorporated Arapahoe County?
Not in a residential zoning district. LDC § 3-3.13.G says stands 'shall not be permitted in residential zoning districts' and must sit at least 75 feet from any residential structure and 50 feet from every property line.
What dates can a fireworks stand be open in the county?
Only June 15 through July 7. Section 3-3.13.G is explicit: 'No stand shall be permitted to operate prior to June 15th or after July 7th.'
How much does an Arapahoe County fireworks stand permit cost?
Permit fees are $500 plus a $250 deposit, per LDC § 3-3.13.G. The deposit is 'refundable if the permittee completely cleans up the site and calls for a clean-up inspection prior to July 13,' so late or incomplete cleanup forfeits it.
How much fireworks inventory can a stand store on site?
Net pyrotechnic composition is capped at 125 pounds at the stand itself under Section 3-3.13.G; more can be stored only in an approved magazine located outside the sales area and set back 100 feet from inhabited buildings, 20 feet from property lines, 30 feet from parking, and 50 feet from flammable liquids or fuels.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Arapahoe County

All Arapahoe County rules

How Arapahoe County compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·Compare Arapahoe County to another location·View the Colorado fire regulations overview

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