Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted (2026)
Think twice before lighting that fuse
Where does your city rank?
Every Fourth of July, the same question comes up: are fireworks actually legal here? The answer depends entirely on where you live. Some cities ban all consumer fireworks year-round, while others allow everything short of professional-grade displays. This ranking covers the cities with the toughest fireworks restrictions, so you know what you are getting into before the holiday weekend.
Top 25: Tightest Bans
Based on each city's fire code and fireworks ordinance. "Strict" cities ban most or all consumer fireworks with fines for violations. "Permissive" cities follow state law with minimal additional local restrictions.
- 1
Wisconsin bans all aerial and explosive consumer fireworks. Only non-explosive types legal (sparklers, snakes, smoke devices). WI Stat. §167.10.
- 2
Wisconsin bans all aerial and explosive consumer fireworks. Only non-explosive types legal (sparklers, snakes, smoke devices). WI Stat. §167.10.
- 3
Fireworks are prohibited within the city limits of Richardson under both state law and local ordinance. Texas Occupations Code Ch. 2154 and Local Government Code Sec. 352.051 authorize municipalities to prohibit fireworks within city limits and 5,000 feet outside.
- 4
Consumer fireworks have been legal to sell and use in Iowa since 2017 under Iowa Code Section 727.2, but Sioux City restricts discharge to just two dates: July 3 between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. and July 4 between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. A 2025 Iowa law (HF 580) blocks Iowa cities from banning fireworks outright on July 3, July 4, and December 31, so Sioux City limits times and locations instead. Discharge on city property, in city parks, or on any public street or alley is strictly prohibited. Fines are $500 on public property and a minimum of $250 on private property.
- 5
Consumer fireworks (sparkling devices) are prohibited in Schenectady County. Under NYS Penal Law 270, counties must opt-in to allow sparklers, and Schenectady County has not opted in. Aerial fireworks remain illegal statewide.
- 6
Irving prohibits the sale, use, and possession of fireworks within city limits per city ordinance and Texas state law for municipalities. Consumer fireworks are restricted to unincorporated areas.
- 7
All fireworks are illegal in the City of Ventura, including 'safe and sane' varieties. Possession, sale, use, and storage of any fireworks is prohibited. Ventura PD actively enforces the ban including drone surveillance during July 4th. The only city in Ventura County that allows fireworks is Fillmore.
- 8Richmond, CAHeavy Restrictions
All consumer fireworks, including California-classified 'safe and sane' fireworks, are BANNED in Richmond. Possession, sale, use, or discharge of any firework within city limits is a misdemeanor with fines starting at $1,000 under Richmond Municipal Code, plus potential state penalties under California Health & Safety Code Section 12700 et seq.
- 9
All consumer fireworks are illegal inside North Richland Hills city limits. Texas Occupations Code 2154 gives cities authority to ban fireworks, and NRH strictly prohibits their sale, possession, and use.
- 10
Grapevine prohibits the sale, possession, and discharge of consumer fireworks within city limits year-round under Chapter 10. Violations are Class C misdemeanors with fines up to 2,000 dollars under state law.
- 11
Mansfield prohibits the sale, possession, and discharge of all consumer fireworks within city limits. The ban covers firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles, and aerial shells, with fines up to 2000 dollars.
- 12
All fireworks, including Safe and Sane, are illegal inside the City of San Bernardino. Possession, sale, or discharge of any firework carries administrative fines starting at 1,250 dollars.
- 13
Consumer fireworks are prohibited within Huntsville city limits under Huntsville Code of Ordinances. State law Ala. Code 8-17-210 allows sales, but city ordinance bans discharge inside Huntsville.
- 14Walnut Creek, CAHeavy Restrictions
All consumer fireworks — including "safe and sane" varieties — are completely BANNED in Walnut Creek year-round. Possession, sale, use, or discharge of any fireworks within city limits is a misdemeanor carrying fines up to $1,000 plus civil penalties, and offenders may be responsible for fire suppression costs.
- 15
Consumer fireworks are prohibited in Miami Beach except during designated state-authorized holidays (July 4th, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day). Professional fireworks displays require a permit from the Miami Beach Fire Department, submitted at least 30 days in advance by a licensed and insured contractor. A minimum of two firefighters must be on-site during any permitted display.
- 16
Fireworks that propel through the air, detonate, or explode are illegal to sell or purchase in Miami-Dade County. Under Florida Statute 791, consumer fireworks may only be used on three designated dates: July 4th, New Year's Eve (December 31st), and New Year's Day (January 1st). The North Miami Fire Department enforces fire safety provisions within city limits.
- 17
Consumer fireworks are illegal in Onondaga County. The county opted out of the 2015 sparkler law, so even sparklers and ground-based sparkling devices are banned.
- 18Kennewick, WAHeavy Restrictions
All consumer fireworks are banned within the City of Kennewick. The Washington State Fireworks Law at Chapter 70.77 RCW (the State Fireworks Act) authorizes cities under RCW 70.77.395 to adopt local ordinances more restrictive than the state baseline, and Kennewick has used that authority to prohibit the sale, possession, and discharge of consumer fireworks city-wide. Aerial and explosive fireworks are illegal throughout Washington under RCW 70.77.136 and RCW 70.77.401 regardless of local opt-in.
- 19
Consumer fireworks are illegal in the City of Buffalo. Although NY State legalized sparkling devices in 2015, Erie County opted out, meaning even sparklers and ground-based fountains remain prohibited in Buffalo under NY Penal Law Section 270.
- 20
All consumer fireworks banned in Richmond County (Staten Island) under NY Penal Law §270.00 plus NYC overlay. NYC opted out of the 2017 sparkling-devices law, so even sparklers are illegal.
- 21
Consumer fireworks are illegal in Tinley Park and throughout Illinois under the state Pyrotechnic Use Act. Only novelty items like sparklers, snakes, and smoke devices are legal. Aerial and explosive fireworks are prohibited statewide, with additional Village enforcement.
- 22
Lubbock bans the sale, possession, and discharge of all consumer fireworks within city limits year-round. Unincorporated Lubbock County permits fireworks during Texas legal windows (June 24-July 4 and Dec 20-Jan 1) unless a burn ban is active.
- 23
All consumer fireworks and sparklers are illegal in New Rochelle. Westchester County opted out of New York's 2017 sparkling-device law, so even sparklers are banned. NY Penal Law §270.00 applies.
- 24
Flint regulates consumer fireworks under the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act (MCL 28.451 et seq., as amended by PA 257 of 2018), which preempts a full local ban but lets cities restrict use to the day before, day of, and day after national holidays. Fireworks may be ignited from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. (12:30 a.m. for July 5 and December 31) on those windows only.
- 25Cedar Hill, TXHeavy Restrictions
Consumer fireworks are prohibited within Cedar Hill city limits year-round. State law (TX Occupations Code Ch. 2154) bans retail sale inside the city, and discharge anywhere in town can result in a fine up to $2,000 under the fire code.
State-by-State Breakdown
How each state leans overall, based on the cities and counties we have data for in that state.
| State | Total | Strict | Moderate | Permissive | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 147 | 123 | 20 | 4 | Heavy Restrictions |
| Texas | 85 | 66 | 19 | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| Florida | 64 | 10 | 51 | 3 | Some Restrictions |
| New Jersey | 42 | 41 | 1 | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| Wisconsin | 38 | 36 | 2 | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| New York | 36 | 32 | 3 | 1 | Heavy Restrictions |
| Illinois | 28 | 28 | - | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| Massachusetts | 28 | 28 | - | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| Colorado | 26 | 23 | 2 | 1 | Heavy Restrictions |
| Georgia | 25 | 2 | 23 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Mississippi | 22 | - | - | 22 | Few Restrictions |
| Pennsylvania | 21 | 9 | 12 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Washington | 20 | 18 | 2 | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| Arizona | 18 | 11 | 6 | 1 | Heavy Restrictions |
| Ohio | 17 | 10 | 7 | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| Hawaii | 15 | 15 | - | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| North Carolina | 15 | 13 | 2 | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| Michigan | 14 | 6 | 8 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Utah | 14 | 12 | 2 | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| Virginia | 13 | 12 | 1 | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| Missouri | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | Heavy Restrictions |
| Oklahoma | 12 | 5 | 5 | 2 | Heavy Restrictions |
| Oregon | 12 | 8 | 4 | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| Tennessee | 9 | 3 | 4 | 2 | Some Restrictions |
| Maryland | 9 | 9 | - | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| Alabama | 8 | 4 | 4 | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| Connecticut | 8 | 8 | - | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| South Carolina | 7 | 2 | 5 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Kansas | 6 | 3 | 3 | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| Nevada | 6 | 5 | - | 1 | Heavy Restrictions |
| Minnesota | 6 | 6 | - | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| Iowa | 5 | 4 | - | 1 | Heavy Restrictions |
| Indiana | 5 | - | 3 | 2 | Some Restrictions |
| Louisiana | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | Heavy Restrictions |
| Rhode Island | 5 | 5 | - | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| North Dakota | 4 | - | 1 | 3 | Few Restrictions |
| New Mexico | 4 | 4 | - | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| Arkansas | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| Nebraska | 3 | - | 2 | 1 | Some Restrictions |
| Kentucky | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| Delaware | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| Vermont | 2 | 2 | - | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| New Hampshire | 2 | - | 1 | 1 | Some Restrictions |
| Wyoming | 2 | 2 | - | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| District of Columbia | 2 | 2 | - | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| Alaska | 1 | 1 | - | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| Montana | 1 | 1 | - | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| West Virginia | 1 | - | 1 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Idaho | 1 | 1 | - | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| South Dakota | 1 | - | 1 | - | Some Restrictions |
Complete List
Frequently Asked Questions
Are fireworks legal in Wisconsin?
Can I buy fireworks across the border?
Are fireworks legal in Richardson?
What about sparklers?
When can I legally set off fireworks in Sioux City, IA?
Can I buy fireworks legally in Sioux City?
Are fireworks legal in Schenectady County?
Are fireworks legal in Irving?
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