ARE FIREWORKS LEGAL IN SOUTH CAROLINA?
Fireworks are legal in South Carolina.
Consumer fireworks are legal in South Carolina. Most consumer fireworks (1.4G) are permitted for sale and use.
📅 WHEN CAN YOU USE FIREWORKS?
Jan 1 – Dec 31
No state time limit; local governments may restrict hours via noise ordinances
South Carolina is one of the most permissive states. Consumer fireworks are legal to buy and use year-round under SC Code Title 23, Chapter 35 and Title 40, Chapter 56. There are no state-mandated date or time restrictions. However, local governments may regulate discharge TIMES (not ban outright) via noise ordinances and may establish 'Fireworks Prohibited Zones' under § 23-35-175. Property owners can also create Fireworks Prohibited Zones on their own property. A 2011 AG opinion held that local governments cannot effectively ban what state law permits, only regulate time/place.
🎆 WHAT'S LEGAL IN SOUTH CAROLINA?
Roman candles, mortars, aerial shells, 500g cakes, missile-type rockets
All 1.4G consumer fireworks legal; bottle rockets must be ≥3.5" casing length
Fountains, cones, wheels, ground spinners
Sparklers, smoke bombs, snaps, poppers, snakes
Toy paper caps and cap devices are exempt from 'fireworks' definition entirely (§ 23-35-30)
Firecrackers (≤50mg pyrotechnic composition), strings
Legal; firecrackers limited to 50mg per report by CPSC standards
Spinning aerial devices
Legal if classified as 1.4G consumer fireworks
Any DIY, altered, or reloaded fireworks
Illegal — 'cherry bombs,' 'ground salutes,' M-80s, and any altered devices banned under § 23-35-130; up to 5 years imprisonment
📋 KEY RULES
16, or any age if accompanied by parent (SC Code § 40-56-340)
16; younger with parental supervision
Private property year-round; not into Fireworks Prohibited Zones; ≥600 ft from churches, hospitals, public schools (unless event permission)
Public roads/highways (§ 23-35-120); Fireworks Prohibited Zones; within motor vehicles; toward persons, animals, or structures
Cherry bombs, ground salutes, M-80s, T-N-T salutes, bulldog salutes (§ 23-35-130); bottle rockets <3.5" casing
Property owners may file Discharge of Fireworks Prohibited Agreement with local law enforcement (§ 23-35-175)
⚖️ PENALTIES
Sale/use of impermissible fireworks
Misdemeanor — fine up to $200 or imprisonment up to 30 days (SC Code § 23-35-150)
Manufacture/possession of cherry bombs, M-80s, ground salutes
Felony — up to 5 years imprisonment and/or $5,000 fine (§ 23-35-130)
1st offense discharge in Fireworks Prohibited Zone
Fine up to $100 or imprisonment up to 30 days (§ 23-35-175(B)(1))
2nd offense in Fireworks Prohibited Zone
Fine $500–$1,000 or imprisonment up to 30 days (§ 23-35-175(B)(2))
3rd+ offense in Fireworks Prohibited Zone or sale violation
Fine $1,000–$2,000 or imprisonment up to 3 years; permanent license revocation for 3rd sale offense (§ 23-35-150)