Kentucky: Are fireworks legal?
Kentucky allows adults 18 and older to buy and use consumer fireworks, including aerial devices and firecrackers.
Since 2011, Kentucky's consumer fireworks definition has included sky rockets, bottle rockets, Roman candles, mines, shells, reloadable aerial shells and firecrackers, and these are legal for retail sale. A user must be at least 18 and may not ignite aerial or audible fireworks within 200 feet of any structure, vehicle or other person. Seasonal retailers sell from June 10 to July 7 and December 26 to January 4. Local governments may pass ordinances on the sale or use of fireworks.
Conditions
- Must be 18 or older to buy or to use aerial and audible fireworks
- Do not ignite within 200 feet of a structure, vehicle or person
- Seasonal sales June 10 to July 7 and December 26 to January 4
- Local ordinances may restrict sale or use
What the law says
A person lawfully possessing consumer fireworks, as defined in KRS 227.702(2) and (3) may use those items if: (a) He or she is at least eighteen (18) years of age; (b) Fireworks are not ignited within two hundred (200) feet of any structure, vehicle, or any other person; and (c) Use of the fireworks does not place him or her in violation of any lawfully enacted local ordinance.
Sources
- KRS 227.715 (sale and use of consumer fireworks) Official · apps.legislature.ky.gov
- KRS 227.702 (consumer fireworks defined) Official · apps.legislature.ky.gov
- KRS 227.708 (legality for retail sale) Official · apps.legislature.ky.gov
- KRS 227.750 (local ordinances) Official · apps.legislature.ky.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Kentucky Office of the State Fire Marshal (Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction)
- Phone
- 502-573-0388
- Website
- ksfm.ky.gov
How bordering states compare
- Illinois Sparklers and ground fireworks onlyIllinois bans consumer fireworks except sparklers and novelties, unless an adult gets a local consumer display permit and completes approved training.
- Indiana Aerial fireworks allowedIndiana allows adults to buy and use consumer fireworks, including aerial devices and firecrackers, on their own or permitted property.
- Missouri Aerial fireworks allowedMissouri allows consumer fireworks, including aerial devices, with seasonal sales around July 4 and New Year's.
- Ohio Aerial fireworks allowedSince July 2022, Ohio adults may set off 1.4G consumer fireworks, including aerial ones, on set holidays unless their local government bans them.
- Tennessee Aerial fireworks allowedTennessee allows standard consumer (Class C) fireworks, which include aerial items, to buyers 16 and older, except in its largest counties.
- Virginia Sparklers and ground fireworks onlyVirginia allows only 'permissible fireworks' such as sparklers, fountains and wheels; anything that explodes, flies or shoots projectiles is banned.
- West Virginia Aerial fireworks allowedWest Virginia allows adults 18 and older to buy and use the full range of consumer fireworks.