ARE FIREWORKS LEGAL IN MONTANA?
Fireworks are legal in Montana.
Consumer fireworks are legal in Montana. Most consumer fireworks are permitted, though local jurisdictions may restrict use during fire season.
📅 WHEN CAN YOU USE FIREWORKS?
Jun 24 – Jul 5
No state time-of-day limit; local ordinances may restrict
Dec 29 – Dec 31
No state time-of-day limit; local ordinances may restrict
Montana restricts the sale of permissible fireworks to the two seasonal windows under MCA § 50-37-106. Use outside these periods is generally restricted. Under MCA § 7-33-4206, local jurisdictions (cities, towns, counties) may adopt ordinances further regulating or prohibiting the retail sale and use of fireworks. Cities like Missoula and Bozeman have enacted stricter local ordinances. Areas under wildfire risk may impose additional bans.
🎆 WHAT'S LEGAL IN MONTANA?
Bottle rockets, Roman candles, mortars, 500g cakes
Sky rockets, Roman candles, and bottle rockets were historically banned but as of 2021 amendment (Ch. 68, L. 2021), MCA § 50-37-105 now defines permissible fireworks as all consumer fireworks per 27 CFR 555.11 — these items are now legal
Fountains, cones, wheels, ground spinners
Sparklers, smoke bombs, snaps, poppers, snakes
Firecrackers, strings
Legal as consumer fireworks (1.4G) per the 2021 update to § 50-37-105
Spinning aerial devices
Legal if classified as 1.4G consumer fireworks per CPSC
Any DIY, altered, or reloaded fireworks
Always illegal — misdemeanor with fine up to $500 (MCA § 50-37-110)
📋 KEY RULES
18 — under 18 cannot sell or offer for sale permissible fireworks (MCA § 50-37-103(2))
No specific state purchase age; local ordinances may impose age limits
Private property; at least 100 ft from fireworks retail locations
State forests, state parks, state recreation areas; within 100 ft of fireworks retail sales; within 300 ft of hospitals or churches (MCA § 50-37-103(5)-(6))
Prohibited — cannot sell fireworks by mail order solicitation (MCA § 50-37-103(4))
Jun 24 – Jul 5 and Dec 29 – Dec 31 only (MCA § 50-37-106)
⚖️ PENALTIES
General violation of fireworks chapter
Misdemeanor — fine up to $500 (MCA § 50-37-110)
Sale without proper permit
Misdemeanor — fine up to $500 (MCA § 50-37-110)
Discharge in state forest/park/recreation area
Misdemeanor — fine up to $500 plus possible fire-related charges
Confiscation of illegal fireworks
Fireworks subject to seizure and confiscation (MCA § 50-37-109)