Are Fireworks Legal in Arkansas?
Yes, consumer fireworks are legal in Arkansas during designated seasonal windows. The state permits the sale and use of a broad range of Class C consumer fireworks, though the specifics of when, where, and how you can light them depend heavily on your city and county. Arkansas is one of those states where the rules change block by block, so knowing the state law is only half the equation.
What You Can Buy
Arkansas allows all consumer fireworks that are legal under federal regulations (27 C.F.R. 555.11), with one notable exception: sky rockets and aerial fireworks attached to a stick are prohibited for discharge in many jurisdictions, including Fayetteville. The state permits firecrackers, Roman candles, bottle rockets, repeater cakes, fountains, sparklers, smoke devices, and artillery shells, provided they meet federal composition and labeling standards.
Items with less than a quarter gram of explosive composition — sparklers, smoke sticks, snakes, and toy caps — can be purchased and used year-round without seasonal restrictions.
When You Can Buy and Sell
Retail fireworks sales are permitted during two windows under state law:
- June 20 through July 10
- December 10 through January 5
Year-round retail sales are allowed if the seller operates from a permanent physical location — not a tent or temporary stand. Anyone selling fireworks must obtain a permit from the State Fire Marshal's office.
Age Restrictions
Arkansas sets the minimum purchase age at 12 years old, one of the lowest in the country. However, many cities impose their own requirements. In Fayetteville, for example, if anyone under 16 is present when fireworks are being discharged, a supervising adult of at least 21 years old must be on site. Retailers are also prohibited from selling to intoxicated or irresponsible individuals.
Time and Date Restrictions for Use
State law does not prescribe statewide use hours, but cities fill that gap aggressively. Some examples:
- Fayetteville: July 1–3 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., July 4 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Benton: July 2–4 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Cabot: July 4–5 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., December 31 from 7 p.m. to midnight
- Greenbrier: July 3–5 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Fireworks may only be discharged on private property with the property owner's consent.
Cities That Ban Fireworks Entirely
Several major Arkansas cities prohibit fireworks outright within city limits, including Little Rock, Conway, Jacksonville, Pine Bluff, Hot Springs, Maumelle, and Searcy. In Little Rock, it is illegal to possess, sell, manufacture, or use fireworks. Jacksonville fines start at $250 per offense. Little Rock fines range from $25 to $500.
Penalties
State-level violations carry fines starting at $50 with the possibility of up to 90 days in jail. City penalties are often stiffer. Benton can fine up to $500 per offense. If your fireworks cause property damage or injury, you face additional civil liability and potential criminal charges.
Where to Buy
Fireworks tents and stands appear along Arkansas highways starting in late June, particularly along I-30, I-40, and US-65. Year-round shops operate from permanent locations in unincorporated areas outside cities with local bans. You will find the densest concentration of sellers near city borders where demand is highest.
Local tip: If you live inside any Arkansas city limits, do not assume fireworks are legal just because you see them for sale nearby. Most of the bigger cities ban them entirely. Check your city's code or call the fire marshal before you buy — a $250 fine is an expensive way to find out your neighborhood is off-limits.