Local Regulations and Fines

Per the City of Code § 955.07 Behavior. states in [Ord. 53-1976 § 7, passed 7-14-1976; Ord. 55-1979 § 1, passed 6-13-1979](a):

No person in a park shall bring or have in his possession, or set off or otherwise cause to explode or discharge or burn, any firecrackers, torpedo, rocket, or other fireworks or explosives of inflammable material, or discharge them or throw them into any such area from land or highway adjacent thereto. This prohibition includes any substance, compound, mixture or article that in conjunction with any other substance or compound would be dangerous from any of the foregoing standpoints.

The fine is $100.00 for fireworks closer than 150 feet from a structure and violating the city noise ordinance can range from $300 to $1,000. 

State Regulations and Fines

According to the Pennsylvania State Police’s website on Fireworks FAQs, House Bill 542 was signed into law on October 30, 2017. Under the new law, the Fireworks Act of 1939 was repealed and replaced in its entirety. The complete version of the new law can be viewed here. However, the questions and answers below highlight the most noteworthy changes.

Consumers can now purchase and use “Class C” or “consumer-grade” fireworks that include firecrackers, Roman candles, bottle rockets, and similar fireworks that contain a maximum of 50 milligrams of explosive material. The expansion includes those fireworks that were previously only available to out-of-state residents.

“Display fireworks,” which are classified as including salutes that contain more than two grains or 130 milligrams of explosive materials, and professional-grade aerial shells containing more than 60 grams of pyrotechnic compositions, are still only to be used by professionals with a permit from the municipality where the display will take place.

  • Fireworks cannot be ignited or discharged on a public or private property without express permission of the property owner.
  • Fireworks cannot be discharged from or within a motor vehicle or building.
  • Fireworks cannot be discharged toward a motor vehicle or building.
  • Fireworks cannot be discharged within 150 feet of an occupied structure, whether or not a person is actually present.
  • Fireworks cannot be discharged while the person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or another drug.

Federal Regulations

U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms: Federal Explosive and Firework regulations Opens In A New Window

https://www.atf.gov/explosives/frequently-asked-questions-fireworks

U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission – Safety and Federal Regulations: Fireworks Business GuidanceOpens In A New Window and Fireworks Enforcement Activities Annual ReportOpens In A New Window      

Other helpful links

American Pyrotechnic Association (APA): Directory of State Laws and other Industry Information 

Fireworks Safety Tips: https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/seasonal-safety/summer-safety/fireworks

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