Maine: Are fireworks legal?
Maine allows adults 21 and older to use consumer fireworks, including aerial cakes and Roman candles, but bans rockets, and towns may ban them.
Since 2012, Maine has allowed consumer fireworks as defined by federal rules, except missile-type rockets, helicopters and aerial spinners, and sky rockets and bottle rockets. Buyers and users must be at least 21. Use is allowed from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., later around July 4 and New Year's Eve, and only on your own property or property where the owner consented. Many towns and cities have used their power to ban or restrict sale or use. Which aerial items are legal is inferred from the federal definition Maine adopts, which covers aerial devices such as Roman candles and aerial cakes; Maine's text names only the excluded items.
Conditions
- Must be 21 or older to buy, use or possess
- No missile-type rockets, helicopters, aerial spinners, sky rockets or bottle rockets
- Use 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., until 12:30 a.m. around July 4 and New Year's Eve
- Only on your own property or with the owner's consent
- Municipalities may prohibit or restrict sale or use
What the law says
"Consumer fireworks" does not include the following products: A. Missile-type rockets, as defined by the State Fire Marshal by rule; B. Helicopters and aerial spinners, as defined by the State Fire Marshal by rule; and C. Sky rockets and bottle rockets. ... A person under 21 years of age may not purchase, use or possess consumer fireworks within the State
Sources
- 8 M.R.S. § 221-A (definitions) Official · legislature.maine.gov
- 8 M.R.S. § 223-A (consumer fireworks) Official · legislature.maine.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Maine Office of the State Fire Marshal (Department of Public Safety)
- Website
- maine.gov
How bordering states compare
- New Hampshire Aerial fireworks allowedNew Hampshire allows adults 21 and older to use consumer fireworks, including bottle rockets, unless their town has voted to ban them.