Enjoy 4th of July fireworks safely (and legally!)

By Product Expert | Posted in Community, Texas, Tips and Tricks on Monday, June 25th, 2018 at 8:00 am
what fireworks are legal in Austin TX? Fireworks background

The 4th of July is right around the corner, which means that ’tis the season to have fun with fireworks ranging from tiny firecrackers to big boomers. But what fireworks are legal in Austin TX? Be safe (and don’t get in trouble!) this year by choosing fireworks types that are okay to use even in the city. For larger displays, you will need a permit, have a space that would be safe for the fireworks to be set off, and  have a professional doing your fireworks. Fortunately, there are plenty of small, fun things you can have that do not require a permit, and won’t get you a citation.

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What fireworks are legal in Austin TX?

hand holding a sparkler and a tiny american flagTechnically, no fireworks are legal in the city of Austin. You cannot buy them, sell them, or store them. However, what a normal person thinks of as fireworks, and what legally is classified as a firework may not always be the same. The devices below do not count as fireworks and can be used in Austin without a permit:

  • Snakes and GlowWorms
  • Smoke Devices
  • Wire Sparkler
  • Party Popper
  • Booby Trap
  • Snapper
  • Trick Match
  • Cigarette Load
  • Auto Burglar Alarm

Some of these items may have other restrictions (for example, how much explosive they can contain, or things they should not be made of,  like magnesium). For full details, and descriptions of each of these permitted devices you can check out the Austin fireworks FAQ online.

What do I do if my neighbors are lighting off fireworks?

If your neighbors are setting off fireworks that aren’t on the approved list, and you are worried about the fire hazard (or just really want them to stop lighting fireworks and keeping you awake long into the night) you can call the 311 non-emergency number to let officials know. If something is on fire, or a situation seems dangerous for other reasons, call 911.