Texas: Are fireworks legal?
Texas allows the public to buy consumer (1.4G) fireworks, including aerial items, from licensed retailers during set sale periods.
State law lets licensed retailers sell Fireworks 1.4G to the public June 24 to July 4 and December 20 to January 1. Counties may add sale periods around Texas Independence Day, San Jacinto Day, Memorial Day and Diwali, and border counties around Cinco de Mayo. Sales to children under 16 are barred, and use is banned within 600 feet of a church and in or from vehicles. Many cities ban fireworks within city limits, and during drought counties can ban skyrockets with sticks and missiles with fins in unincorporated areas.
Conditions
- Buyers must be at least 16
- Retail sales June 24 to July 4 and December 20 to January 1, plus county-approved periods
- No use within 600 feet of a church without permission, or in or from a vehicle
What the law says
A person may offer for sale to the general public Fireworks 1.4G only at authorized retail locations. All mail order sales of Fireworks 1.4G are prohibited. Fireworks may not be sold or offered for sale to children under 16 years of age or to an intoxicated or incompetent person.
Sources
- Tex. Occ. Code 2154.252 Mirror of official text · texas.public.law
- Tex. Occ. Code 2154.202 Mirror of official text · texas.public.law
- Tex. Occ. Code 2154.001 Mirror of official text · texas.public.law
- Tex. Occ. Code 2154.251 Mirror of official text · texas.public.law
- Tex. Local Gov't Code 352.051 (county drought restrictions) Mirror of official text · codes.findlaw.com
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Texas Department of Insurance, State Fire Marshal's Office
- Phone
- 512-676-6800
- Website
- tdi.texas.gov
How bordering states compare
- Arkansas Aerial fireworks allowedArkansas allows Class C consumer fireworks, including Roman candles, sky rockets, aerial shells and firecrackers, during two state-set seasons.
- Louisiana Aerial fireworks allowedLouisiana state law allows permissible consumer fireworks, including Roman candles, rockets and aerial shells, but many parishes and cities restrict or ban them.
- New Mexico Aerial fireworks allowedNew Mexico lets the public buy and use consumer fireworks, including aerial items and firecrackers, though cities and counties may ban those two groups.
- Oklahoma Aerial fireworks allowedOklahoma allows consumer fireworks, including aerial ones, and a 2026 law permits year-round sales and makes bottle rockets legal.