Walton County, FL Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- Display permit
- Required from South Walton Fire District
- Permit holder
- Must hold valid BATFE low-explosive license
- Personal fireworks
- Banned outright on county beach property
- Private landowners
- May still use fireworks per Florida law
- Maximum fine
- $500 civil infraction per Section 22-62
Summary
South of the Choctawhatchee Bay, in South Walton, Walton County requires a South Walton Fire District permit, held only by a company with a valid BATFE low-explosive license, before anyone may run a fireworks display on the beach. Personal fireworks are banned outright on any county-owned beach or beach access, though private beachfront property owners may still use fireworks under state law.
a.Fireworks displays south of the Bay shall require a permit from the SWFD and may only be issued to a person or company maintaining a valid, current Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Explosive (BATFE) license. At a minimum, this shall be a low explosive license.b.No person shall bring onto, or possess, or set off, or otherwise cause to explode or discharge or burn, on any beach or beach dune system, any firecrackers, torpedoes, rockets, toy firearms, cannons, or other fireworks or explosives of or containing flammable material or any substance, compound, mixture, or article which in conjunction with any other substance or compound, may explode, discharge, or burn. ... d.Personal or individual use of fireworks is prohibited on any beach or beach access owned, leased, dedicated to, or maintained by the County. This does not preclude any private property owner from exercising their right to fireworks as long as they follow Florida State Statute.
Full Breakdown
Section 22-54(b)(2) of Chapter 22, Waterways and Beach Activities, applies south of Highway 20 under Section 22-53 and separates commercial fireworks displays from personal use. A fireworks display south of the bay requires a permit from the South Walton Fire District, and the county will issue that permit only to a person or company holding a valid, current Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Explosive license, at minimum a low explosive license. Apart from a permitted display, the code makes it unlawful for anyone to bring onto, possess, set off or otherwise cause to explode, discharge or burn any firecracker, torpedo, rocket, toy firearm, cannon or other firework or explosive on any beach or beach dune system, and parents and guardians are held responsible for violations by minors in their care.
goes further for individual use: personal or individual fireworks use is prohibited outright on any beach or beach access owned, leased, dedicated to or maintained by the county, though the section carves out private beachfront property owners, who may still use fireworks on their own land if they follow Florida law. depending on the season. Enforcement of Chapter 22, including the fireworks and fire rules, falls to the Sheriff's Office and the County Code Compliance Department.
Violations & Fines
A violation of Chapter 22's beach rules, including the fireworks restrictions in Section 22-54(b)(2), is a civil infraction under Section 22-62 punishable by a fine of up to $500.00, with each day a violation continues counting as a separate offense. A cited person may pay the scheduled fine within 30 days or instead demand a hearing before the county's Code Compliance Special Magistrate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set off fireworks on the beach in South Walton?
Who can get a permit for a fireworks display on a Walton County beach?
What's the penalty for illegal fireworks on a Walton County beach?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Walton County
How Walton County compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Walton County to another location·View the Florida fire regulations overview
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