Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted (2026)

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. 1

   Adams County, COHeavy Restrictions$1,000 per violation, each day separate

   Adams County bans possessing, manufacturing, storing, selling, handling or using fireworks anywhere in the unincorporated area under the adopted International Fire Code. The ban does not reach state-legal "permissible fireworks" like sparklers and fountains, or licensed public displays. Violators face fire code penalties enforced by the county fire code official.

2. 2

   Alameda County, CAHeavy Restrictions$1,000 (HSC §12700)

   All fireworks - including 'safe and sane' types - are prohibited in unincorporated Alameda County. Only three cities (Dublin, Newark, Union City) permit safe and sane fireworks during a limited window. Possession of dangerous fireworks is a misdemeanor under California Health & Safety Code §12700, with state fines starting at $1,000 and reaching $100,000 for large quantities.

3. 3

   Albany, NYHeavy RestrictionsViolation $250

   Consumer fireworks are illegal in Albany under NY Penal Law §270.00. Although sparklers and ground-based sparkling devices became legal statewide in 2015, Albany County opted out: sparklers are also banned. Only state-permitted public displays by licensed pyrotechnicians are allowed. Possession is a violation; sale is a Class A misdemeanor.

4. 4

   Albuquerque, NMHeavy RestrictionsMisdemeanor; up to $500 and/or 90 days (Sec. 3309.6.1)

   Albuquerque bans the aerial devices and ground audible devices it is allowed to prohibit under New Mexico's Fireworks Licensing and Safety Act. Fire Code Section 3309.1 prohibits possession, storage, sale and use of aerial spinners, helicopters, missile- and stick-type rockets, Roman candles, chasers (bottle rockets) and firecrackers citywide.

5. 5

   Alexandria, VAHeavy Restrictions$2,500 / 12 mo

   Alexandria bans the storage, sale, possession, or discharge of any fireworks within the city limits: including sparklers. Violations are Class 1 misdemeanors punishable by up to a $2,500 fine and/or 12 months in jail.

6. 6

   Anchorage, AKHeavy Restrictions$50-$1,000 civil fine per offense

   Selling, possessing, or using explosive fireworks or fused stench bombs is illegal in Anchorage without a permit from the municipal official who issues such permits.

7. 7

   Annapolis, MDHeavy RestrictionsBanned statewide

   Consumer fireworks are banned statewide under Maryland Code, Public Safety §10-101. Annapolis Code reinforces the ban. Only sparklers not containing chlorates or perchlorates (gold-label) are legal. Violation can result in a $250+ fine.

8. 8

   Anne Arundel County, MDHeavy RestrictionsBanned statewide and county-wide

   Consumer fireworks are banned statewide under Maryland Code, Public Safety §10-101. Anne Arundel County enforces the state ban. Only gold-label sparklers without chlorates/perchlorates are legal. Display fireworks require State Fire Marshal permits.

9. 9

   Anoka County, MNHeavy RestrictionsSparklers ≤100g, snakes, smoke devices, poppers

   Minnesota Statutes §§ 624.20-624.25 make it a crime, not just a local rule, to sell, possess, use, or explode fireworks anywhere in Anoka County, including its incorporated cities. Firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles, and all similar explosive or aerial devices are banned outright; only novelty sparklers, snakes, and certain smoke or noisemaker items under strict weight limits are legal.

10. 10

    Arlington, TXHeavy Restrictions

    Fireworks are completely banned inside Arlington city limits under authority of Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2154, which allows municipalities over 100,000 population to prohibit consumer fireworks. Possession, sale, and discharge all carry Class C misdemeanor penalties up to $2,000 per offense.

11. 11

    Arvada, COHeavy Restrictions

    Arvada bans possessing, manufacturing, storing, selling, handling, or using fireworks citywide except as the International Fire Code allows. Arvada City Code § 62-43 also makes property owners and event hosts strictly liable if they let anyone set off or possess fireworks on property they control, with no mental-state defense required.

12. 12

    Attleboro, MAHeavy RestrictionsYes: total ban

    All consumer fireworks including sparklers are illegal in Massachusetts under MGL Ch. 148 §39. Attleboro strictly enforces this ban. Only licensed professionals may conduct public displays with proper permits from the Fire Department and State Fire Marshal.

13. 13

    Aurora, ILHeavy Restrictions$250 to $1,000

    Aurora bans selling, possessing or using display fireworks, flame effects and consumer fireworks citywide, with fines from $250 to $1,000 and property owners liable if a violation occurs on their land.

14. 14

    Austin, TXHeavy RestrictionsUp to $2,000

    Consumer fireworks are illegal to possess, use, or sell within Austin city limits. Violations can carry fines up to $2,000. Permits are issued only for professional displays by Austin Fire Special Events.

15. 15

    Baltimore, MDHeavy RestrictionsGround-based only

    Maryland restricts consumer fireworks (MD Public Safety Art. §10-101 to §10-113). Only ground-based items legal. Aerial consumer fireworks illegal statewide.

16. 16

    Bellevue, WAHeavy Restrictions

    Bellevue bans igniting or discharging any fireworks anywhere in the city at any time under BCC 23.11.5608.2, the city's local amendment to the International Fire Code. The only exceptions are permitted public displays, approved religious-purpose uses, and state-defined trick, novelty, agricultural or wildlife fireworks. A separate section bars possessing or using fireworks in any city park without a parks permit.

17. 17

    Bellingham, WAHeavy Restrictionsbanned citywide

    Bellingham bans manufacturing, importing, possessing, selling, transporting, or publicly displaying fireworks citywide; only a licensed public display (never in the Lake Whatcom watershed) and trick or novelty items are permitted.

18. 18

    Berkeley, CAHeavy Restrictions

    Berkeley bans the possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling, and use of all fireworks, including State Fire Marshal-approved 'Safe and Sane' fireworks, anywhere in the city. Narrow exceptions exist only for licensed storage and handling, licensed manufacturing and testing, and professional pyrotechnics used in film, television, or stage productions under a fire department permit.

19. 19

    Billings, MTHeavy Restrictions$500 plus up to 6 months jail

    Billings bans possessing, selling, or setting off fireworks citywide except at a fire marshal-permitted supervised public display.

20. 20

    Birmingham, ALHeavy RestrictionsClass A misdemeanor ($100-$1,000 fine); felony for illegal salutes

    Only Class C 'common' consumer fireworks are legal in Alabama, and Birmingham city code separately prohibits discharging firecrackers, skyrockets, roman candles, pinwheels, or other fireworks except under a permit issued through the city's fire prevention code. State law bars igniting fireworks within 600 feet of a church, hospital, school, or enclosed building, or within 200 feet of where fireworks are stored or sold.

21. 21

    Bishop, CAHeavy Restrictions

    Only California-approved "safe and sane" fireworks are legal in Bishop, sold from licensed booths around July 4. All "dangerous fireworks" (skyrockets, firecrackers, aerials) are illegal statewide, and fireworks are banned on Inyo National Forest, BLM, and LADWP land.

22. 22

    Bloomington, MNHeavy RestrictionsOnly sparklers and ground novelties

    Minnesota law (MN §624.20-624.25) heavily restricts fireworks. Only non-explosive, non-aerial novelty items (sparklers under 100g, snakes, smoke devices) are legal for consumers. Aerial fireworks, firecrackers, Roman candles, and skyrockets are illegal. Must be 18+ to purchase. Legal items prohibited on public property.

23. 23

    Boston, MAHeavy RestrictionsAll illegal

    All consumer fireworks are illegal in Massachusetts including sparklers. Boston enforces this strict statewide ban with confiscation and fines under MGL Chapter 148 Section 39.

24. 24

    Bostonia, CAHeavy RestrictionsH&S Code 12505

    Bostonia is unincorporated San Diego County, and ALL consumer fireworks are illegal here. California's State Fireworks Law bans 'dangerous fireworks,' and the County separately prohibits possessing, selling, storing, using or discharging any fireworks in the unincorporated area without a permit. No 'safe and sane' exception applies.

25. 25

    Boulder, COHeavy RestrictionsBanned outright, no exceptions

    Boulder outlaws fireworks outright: Section 5-6-6 bans possessing, manufacturing, storing, selling, or using any firework unless the city fire marshal has issued a permit for a supervised public display. Bystanders on residential property who watch someone light fireworks and do nothing to stop it, or refuse to help identify the shooter, can be charged as a complicitor to the same offense.

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