🎆AllThingsFireworks

ARE FIREWORKS LEGAL IN LOUISIANA?

LEGALLast reviewed: February 22, 2026

Fireworks are legal in Louisiana.

Consumer fireworks are legal in Louisiana. Most 1.4G consumer fireworks are permitted.

📅 WHEN CAN YOU USE FIREWORKS?

Fourth of July

Jun 25 (noon) – Jul 5 (midnight)

No statewide time-of-day restriction beyond the sale window; local ordinances set discharge hours

New Year's

Dec 15 (noon) – Jan 1 (midnight)

No statewide time-of-day restriction beyond the sale window; local ordinances set discharge hours

Consumer fireworks sales are strictly limited to the two windows above per R.S. 51:652(B). Use outside these windows is not explicitly addressed at the state level but most parishes restrict discharge to the sale periods. Local parishes and municipalities may impose additional restrictions. Toy caps are exempt and may be sold year-round.

🎆 WHAT'S LEGAL IN LOUISIANA?

🚀
Aerial Fireworks LEGAL

Roman candles, mortars, 500g cakes

1.4G consumer fireworks including aerial items are 'permissible fireworks' under R.S. 51:651. Bottle rockets are legal unless locally banned.

Ground-Based LEGAL

Fountains, cones, wheels, ground spinners

Sparklers & Novelties LEGAL

Sparklers, smoke bombs, snaps, poppers, snakes

🧨
Firecrackers LEGAL

Firecrackers, strings

Legal as permissible 1.4G consumer fireworks.

🌀
Girandolas LEGAL

Spinning aerial devices

Legal if classified as 1.4G consumer fireworks.

🔧
Homemade / Modified🚫 BANNED

Any DIY, altered, or reloaded fireworks

Illegal. Cherry bombs, M-80s, silver salutes, and any device with >2 grains flash powder specifically prohibited. R.S. 51:651.1. Penalty: up to $1,000 fine and/or 2 years imprisonment.

📋 KEY RULES

🎂Minimum Age to Purchase

15 (R.S. 51:654(A) — sale to children under 15 prohibited)

👤Minimum Age to Use

No specific state minimum, but sale to intoxicated or irresponsible persons prohibited. R.S. 51:654(A).

🏠Where You Can Use

Private property; varies by parish/municipality

🚫Where You Can't Use

Within 1,000 ft of any church, hospital, asylum, school, public building, or fireworks retail location. R.S. 51:654(B).

🚗Motor Vehicles

Illegal to ignite fireworks in or throw from a motor vehicle, or place ignited fireworks in/at a motor vehicle. R.S. 51:654(C)(D).

🏪Retailer Permit

Required from Office of State Fire Marshal per R.S. 51:656. No sales or storage in dwellings. R.S. 51:652(C).

⚖️ PENALTIES

Possession, sale, or use of prohibited fireworks (cherry bombs, M-80s, etc.)

Fine up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment up to 2 years (with or without hard labor). R.S. 51:651.1(D).

Selling to children under 15 or intoxicated persons

Criminal violation per R.S. 51:654.

Igniting fireworks in/from a motor vehicle

Fine of $500 and/or up to 6 months imprisonment. R.S. 51:654(C).

Placing ignited fireworks in/at a motor vehicle

Fine of $500 and/or up to 6 months imprisonment. R.S. 51:654(D).

Operating without permit from State Fire Marshal

Must immediately cease sales; fine of $250–$1,000 per offense. R.S. 51:653.