Ohio Fireworks

In Ohio, you may set off consumer fireworks only on private property with the owner's permission and only on these days: January 1; Chinese New Year's Day; May 5; Memorial Day and the Saturday and Sunday before it; June 19; July 3, 4 and 5; the first Friday, Saturday and Sunday before and after July 4; Labor Day and the Saturday and Sunday before it; Diwali; and December 31 (R.C. 3743.45(B)). Counties, townships and cities may further restrict the dates and times or ban discharge (3743.45(D)).

In Ohio you must be 18 to buy fireworks: no one may sell fireworks of any kind to a person under 18, and under-18s may not enter a fireworks showroom without a parent, guardian or other responsible adult (ORC 3743.65(D)). The Ohio Fire Code bars anyone under 18 from handling or discharging 1.4G consumer fireworks, from being within 150 feet of where aerial devices are fired, and from being given them (OAC 1301:7-7-56, sec. 5626.5.6). Only 1.4G fireworks bought in Ohio from a licensed retailer, manufacturer or wholesaler fall under the consumer-discharge permission (ORC 3743.45), and the seller must give each buyer a safety pamphlet and have safety glasses available free or for a nominal charge (ORC 3743.47).

In Ohio, 1.4G consumer fireworks must be bought from a licensed retailer, manufacturer or wholesaler (ORC 3743.45), and no one may sell fireworks to anyone under 18 (ORC 3743.65). Since July 1, 2022 you may set them off in Ohio on private property, with the owner's permission, on the statutory days unless your local government bans or limits it.

In Ohio, no permit is needed to set off 1.4G consumer fireworks bought from a licensed Ohio retailer, manufacturer or wholesaler, but only on private property with the owner's permission and only on the statutory days (ORC 3743.45). Counties, townships and cities may restrict the dates and times or ban discharge entirely. Sales to anyone under 18 are prohibited (ORC 3743.65).