New Hampshire: Are fireworks legal?
New Hampshire allows adults 21 and older to use consumer fireworks, including bottle rockets, unless their town has voted to ban them.
'Permissible fireworks' are federal consumer fireworks, except for certain wire or stick sparklers that state law bans. Adults 21 and over may possess them, and may set them off on private property with the owner's written consent or with the owner present. Towns may vote to ban sales, possession or display, and sellers must post a list of towns with bans. Bottle rockets may be bought only with a launcher, or if the buyer shows the seller they already have one.
Conditions
- Must be 21 or older (18 to 20 if on active military or state guard duty, for purchase)
- Use only on private property with the owner's written consent or presence
- Towns may vote to prohibit possession, display or sales
- Bottle rockets must be bought with a launcher, or the buyer must show they have one
- Class C sparklers and wire or stick sparklers with chlorates or perchlorates are banned
What the law says
Notwithstanding RSA 160-B:4, a person who is 21 years of age or older may possess permissible fireworks except in a municipality which has voted to prohibit possession pursuant to RSA 160-C:6. A person who is 21 years of age or older may display permissible fireworks on private property with the written consent of the owner or in the owner's presence, except in a municipality which has voted to prohibit display of permissible fireworks pursuant to RSA 160-C:6.
Sources
- RSA 160-C:1 (definitions) Official · gc.nh.gov
- RSA 160-C:11 (possession and display) Official · gc.nh.gov
- RSA 160-C:2 (sales; age limit) Official · gc.nh.gov
- RSA 160-C:6 (local option) Official · gc.nh.gov
- RSA 160-C:12-a (bottle rockets) Official · gc.nh.gov
- RSA 160-B:16 (certain sparklers prohibited) Official · gc.nh.gov
- N.H. RSA 160-C:10 Official · gc.nh.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- New Hampshire State Fire Marshal's Office
- Website
- nh.gov
How bordering states compare
- Maine Aerial fireworks allowedMaine allows adults 21 and older to use consumer fireworks, including aerial cakes and Roman candles, but bans rockets, and towns may ban them.
- Massachusetts Consumer fireworks bannedMassachusetts bans all consumer fireworks, including sparklers, for private persons.
- Vermont Consumer fireworks bannedVermont bans consumer fireworks for private use; only small sparklers and novelties are legal without a display permit.
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