ARE FIREWORKS LEGAL IN TEXAS?
Fireworks are legal in Texas.
Consumer fireworks are legal in Texas. Most 1.4G consumer fireworks are permitted. Counties may impose burn bans during droughts.
📅 WHEN CAN YOU USE FIREWORKS?
Jun 24 – Jul 4 (retail sales); no state-level use date restriction
No state-mandated time restriction on consumer use; local ordinances may set hours
Dec 20 – Jan 1 (retail sales); no state-level use date restriction
No state-mandated time restriction on consumer use; local ordinances may set hours
Texas does not impose a state-level date restriction on when consumers may USE fireworks — only retail SALES are limited to Jun 24–Jul 4 and Dec 20–Jan 1. Counties and municipalities may enact ordinances prohibiting or further regulating fireworks per Tex. Occ. Code §2154.004. Many cities ban fireworks entirely within city limits. Local fire bans during drought conditions are common.
🎆 WHAT'S LEGAL IN TEXAS?
Mortars, 500g cakes, aerial repeaters
1.4G consumer fireworks are permissible; small bottle rockets (under specified size thresholds) and pop rockets (under 26 inches) are banned per §2154.003
Fountains, cones, wheels, ground spinners
Sparklers, smoke bombs, snaps, poppers, snakes
Firecrackers, strings
Must be CPSC-compliant 1.4G
Spinning aerial devices
Legal if CPSC-compliant 1.4G classification
Any DIY, altered, or reloaded fireworks
Manufacturing without a license is illegal — Class B misdemeanor per §2154.303; illegal fireworks subject to seizure per §2154.304
📋 KEY RULES
16 (Tex. Occ. Code §2154.252(c))
No state minimum specified; minors under 16 may not be employed at fireworks stands (§2154.254)
Private property where not prohibited by local ordinance; must comply with distance restrictions
Within 600 ft of churches, hospitals, schools, child care centers; within 100 ft of flammable liquid/gas storage or fireworks storage/sales; from or into motor vehicles (§2154.251)
Small sky rockets / bottle rockets under specified dimensions are banned (§2154.003(b)); pop rockets under 26 inches also banned
Cities and counties may ban or further restrict fireworks (§2154.004)
⚖️ PENALTIES
General violation (operating without license/permit)
Class B misdemeanor: up to 180 days jail and/or up to $2,000 fine (§2154.303(b))
Prohibited use resulting in <$200 property damage, no injury
Class C misdemeanor: up to $500 fine (§2154.303(c))
Prohibited use resulting in injury or >$200 property damage
Class B misdemeanor: up to 180 days jail and/or up to $2,000 fine (§2154.303(b))
Unlicensed public display with 1.3G fireworks
Class B misdemeanor: up to 180 days jail and/or up to $2,000 fine (§2154.303(b))
Use of flame effects/pyrotechnics without permit
Class A misdemeanor: up to 1 year jail and/or up to $4,000 fine; each day is a separate offense (§2154.253(e))