ARE FIREWORKS LEGAL IN KENTUCKY?
Fireworks are legal in Kentucky.
Consumer fireworks are legal in Kentucky. Most consumer fireworks (1.4G) are permitted for sale and use.
📅 WHEN CAN YOU USE FIREWORKS?
No statewide date restriction — Kentucky state law (KRS Chapter 227) does not impose specific use dates or times
No statewide time restriction. Use dates/times are set by local county/city ordinances.
Jul 3, Jul 4, Memorial Day, Dec 31 – Jan 1 (varies by county)
Commonly 10:00 AM – midnight on holidays; 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM on other days (varies by local ordinance)
Kentucky state law defines consumer fireworks (KRS §227.702) and bans display fireworks for consumer sale (KRS §227.710), but delegates use regulations almost entirely to local governments. Per KRS §227.750, state law shall not conflict with local ordinances. Counties and cities set their own dates, times, and location restrictions. Some areas (e.g., Fayette County/Lexington) ban aerial and explosive consumer fireworks, permitting only sparklers and fountains.
🎆 WHAT'S LEGAL IN KENTUCKY?
Bottle rockets, Roman candles, mortars, 500g cakes
Legal at state level as 1.4G consumer fireworks under KRS §227.702. Local jurisdictions (e.g., Lexington/Fayette County) may ban aerials.
Fountains, cones, wheels, ground spinners
Sparklers, smoke bombs, snaps, poppers, snakes
Firecrackers, strings
Legal as 1.4G consumer fireworks at state level.
Spinning aerial devices
Legal if classified as 1.4G consumer fireworks.
Any DIY, altered, or reloaded fireworks
Illegal; tampering with components can result in criminal prosecution. Not classified consumer fireworks.
📋 KEY RULES
18 (KRS §227.715 requirements for retail sale)
18 (per most local ordinances; state defines no specific age to use)
Private property; must be 200+ ft from structures, vehicles, or other persons (per many local ordinances)
Within 200 ft of structures/vehicles/persons (common local rule); varies by jurisdiction. Display fireworks only by professional permit.
Must have license from State Fire Marshal, pass inspection, comply with KRS §227.715 storage and fire suppression requirements.
Banned for consumer sale/use. Professional permits only via State Fire Marshal per KRS §227.710.
⚖️ PENALTIES
Unlawful sale, use, or possession of display fireworks
Misdemeanor — up to $1,000 fine and/or up to 12 months in jail. KRS §227.710 and §227.990.
Use outside authorized times (local ordinance, typical)
Misdemeanor — $100–$500 fine per violation (varies by county).
Use within 200 ft of structures/persons (local ordinance, typical)
Misdemeanor — $500–$1,000 fine and/or up to 30 days imprisonment (varies by county).
Selling without required license
Misdemeanor — fines up to $1,000; license revocation.
Furnishing to minors (local)
Misdemeanor — fines vary by jurisdiction.