Georgia: Are fireworks legal?
Georgia allows adults 18 and older to buy and use consumer fireworks, including Roman candles and aerial items, within state time and place limits.
State law makes it lawful for anyone 18 or older to use, possess, transport and store consumer fireworks, and the definition specifically includes Roman candles. Use is generally allowed from 10 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., subject to local noise ordinances, with set holidays such as New Year's, Memorial Day weekend, July 3 and 4, Labor Day and December 31. Fireworks may not be set off indoors, on road rights-of-way, or within 100 yards of places such as hospitals, nursing homes, jails, airports, or power, water and fuel facilities, and use in a county, city or state park needs the managing agency's permission. The Governor can restrict use in counties under drought conditions.
Conditions
- Must be 18 or older to buy or use
- Use generally 10 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., subject to local noise ordinances, with listed holidays
- Not indoors, on road rights-of-way, or within 100 yards of listed facilities
- Governor may restrict use during drought
What the law says
(4)(A) It shall be lawful for any person 18 years of age or older to use or ignite or cause to be ignited or to possess, manufacture, transport, or store consumer fireworks.
Sources
- O.C.G.A. 25-10-2 (sale and use of consumer fireworks), FindLaw Mirror of official text · codes.findlaw.com
- O.C.G.A. 25-10-1 (definition of consumer fireworks), FindLaw Mirror of official text · codes.findlaw.com
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner
- Phone
- (404) 656-2070
- Website
- oci.georgia.gov
How bordering states compare
- Alabama Aerial fireworks allowedAlabama allows adults to buy and use the full range of federally approved 1.4G consumer fireworks, including aerial and exploding items.
- Florida Aerial fireworks allowedFlorida allows fireworks, including aerial ones, on New Year's Eve, New Year's Day and July 4; other days, only approved sparklers and novelties.
- North Carolina Sparklers and ground fireworks onlyNorth Carolina allows sparklers, fountains and other ground or hand-held sparkling devices, but bans fireworks that explode, spin or fly.
- South Carolina Aerial fireworks allowedSouth Carolina allows the sale and use of 1.4G consumer fireworks, including aerial ones, except small bottle rockets, to buyers 16 and older.
- Tennessee Aerial fireworks allowedTennessee allows standard consumer (Class C) fireworks, which include aerial items, to buyers 16 and older, except in its largest counties.