When can Ohioans discharge fireworks?
Unless further limited by local jurisdictions, Ohioans can discharge 1.4G consumer fireworks only from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m. (unless otherwise specified) on the following dates:
• July 3, 4, and 5, and the Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays immediately preceding and following July 4
• Labor Day weekend (1st Monday in September and the Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding that Monday)
• Diwali
• New Year’s Eve (4 p.m.-11:59 p.m.)
• New Year’s Day (also 12 a.m.-1 a.m.)
• Chinese New Year
• Cinco de Mayo
• Memorial Day weekend (last Monday in May and the Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding that Monday)
• Juneteenth (June 19)
Where can consumers discharge fireworks?
Consumers can discharge 1.4G consumer fireworks on their own property or on another person’s property with that person’s permission – EXCEPT where a political subdivision has opted out of 1.4G
consumer fireworks discharge.
What fireworks can consumers discharge?
Consumers (Ohio residents and nonresidents) can only discharge 1.4G consumer grade fireworks that were purchased in Ohio from an Ohio licensed fireworks sales location. Consumers are not allowed to purchase or discharge 1.3G display grade fireworks.
Where can Ohioans buy fireworks?
Consumers may only purchase such fireworks from an Ohio licensed fireworks sales location. When purchasing fireworks, the retailer must provide buyers with safety glasses (for free or at a nominal charge) and a safety pamphlet specifying language as set forth in the R.C.
Fireworks must be discharged responsibly.
No person can use fireworks while in possession or control of, or under the influence of, any intoxicating liquor, beer, or controlled substance. A person who violates this is guilty of a first-degree misdemeanor.
What laws and rules apply?
R.C. § 3743.45 (as effective July 1, 2022) and OFC § 5626
(effective July 3, 2022) apply. These rules outline how 1.4G consumer fireworks must be used and stored by consumers. Some provisions in the rules include:
• No person under the age of 18 is permitted to handle
or discharge fireworks.
• Persons under the age of 18 cannot be within 150 feet
of the discharge point of aerial fireworks.
• Aerial devices cannot be discharged within 150 feet of
spectators (this includes aerial shells, roman candles,
cakes, and bottle rockets).
• Non-aerial devices cannot be discharged within
50 feet of spectators (this includes fountains,
firecrackers, and ground effect devices).
Note: These separation distances – for both aerial and
non-aerial devices – are increased for certain types
of occupancies such as hospitals, schools, healthcare
and residential facilities, apartment and multi-tenant
buildings, military installations, and railroads.
• No person can store in excess of 125 pounds (net
weight pyrotechnic composition) of fireworks unless
they have additional safety measures and safeguards
in place for such storage.
• Fireworks cannot be discharged indoors.
• Fireworks cannot be aimed at or discharged towards
any person or object (such as buildings).