Tennessee: Are fireworks legal?
Tennessee allows standard consumer (Class C) fireworks, which include aerial items, to buyers 16 and older, except in its largest counties.
State law bans fireworks other than D.O.T. Class C common fireworks and items that meet federal consumer safety rules; that aerial items are legal is inferred from that federal class. Buyers must be at least 16, and retail sales are barred in counties of more than 355,000 people. From May 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027, seasonal stands may sell May 20 to 30, June 10 to July 10, September 1 to 10 and December 10 to January 3; after that, the usual June 20 to July 5 and December 10 to January 2 windows return.
Conditions
- Buyers must be at least 16
- No retail sales in counties over 355,000 people
- Seasonal stand sales only in set windows (expanded through January 31, 2027)
What the law says
It is unlawful for any individual, firm, partnership or corporation to possess, sell or use within this state, or ship into this state, except as provided in this chapter, any pyrotechnics commonly known as fireworks, other than the following permissible items: (1) Those items classified as D.O.T. Class C common fireworks; or (2) Those items that comply with the construction, chemical composition and labeling regulations promulgated by the United States consumer product safety commission and permitted for use by the general public under its regulations.
Sources
- Tenn. Code Ann. 68-104-108 Mirror of official text · codes.findlaw.com
- Tenn. Code Ann. 68-104-101 Mirror of official text · codes.findlaw.com
- Tenn. Code Ann. 68-104-112 Mirror of official text · codes.findlaw.com
- Blount County, Fireworks in Blount County - 2026 (cites T.C.A. 68-104-101(8)) Secondary · blounttn.gov
- Recording Law, Tennessee fireworks laws (reproduces T.C.A. 68-104) Secondary · recordinglaw.com
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office, Department of Commerce and Insurance
- Website
- tn.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.
- Arkansas Aerial fireworks allowedArkansas allows Class C consumer fireworks, including Roman candles, sky rockets, aerial shells and firecrackers, during two state-set seasons.
- Georgia Aerial fireworks allowedGeorgia allows adults 18 and older to buy and use consumer fireworks, including Roman candles and aerial items, within state time and place limits.
- Kentucky Aerial fireworks allowedKentucky allows adults 18 and older to buy and use consumer fireworks, including aerial devices and firecrackers.
- Mississippi Aerial fireworks allowedMississippi allows Class C consumer fireworks, including small Roman candles, rockets and firecrackers, sold only during set seasons.
- Missouri Aerial fireworks allowedMissouri allows consumer fireworks, including aerial devices, with seasonal sales around July 4 and New Year's.
- 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.
- 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.