Wisconsin is restrictive. Under Wis. Stat. 167.10 only sparklers, snakes, small caps and ground-based novelties are exempt; anything that explodes or leaves the ground (firecrackers, rockets, aerials) needs a user's permit from your city, village or town.
State law defines fireworks broadly as anything "manufactured, processed or packaged for exploding, emitting sparks or combustion which does not have another common use." Sparklers on a wire or wood stick up to 36 inches, toy snakes with no mercury, caps under one-quarter grain, and ground-spinning novelties are excluded and may be used without a permit. Everything else requires a user's permit issued by the mayor, village president or town chairperson. Cities and villages in Waukesha County (Waukesha, Brookfield, Menomonee Falls, etc.) may further restrict or ban consumer fireworks, so check your municipality before buying.
Using or possessing fireworks without a required permit is a violation subject to a forfeiture; municipalities set their own local fine schedules.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Waukesha County's fireworks rules stack up against other locations.
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