WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) --- Are you sure you can light that sparkler or fireworks in your backyard? Here's a guide on the legal guidelines for fireworks in your area.
WASHINGTON DC
ALLOWED: Sparklers no more than 20 inches in length, paper novelty items, box fires, cones, torches, fountains, dip-sticks.
BANNED: Fireworks
For specific details, click here.
MARYLAND
A recent law approves specific types of items, including sparklers, found on the Maryland State Fire Marshal's website.
The new law allows the sale and use of these non-aerial, non-exploding devices in most other parts of Maryland, except Montgomery County, Prince George's County and Baltimore City.
Prince George's County
No fireworks are allowed to be sold or possessed in Prince George's County.
Prince George's County offers amnesty for people who have purchased fireworks. Contact the Prince George's County Fire Department.
Amnesty is offered to the public who may have purchased banned fireworks. The amnesty period spans two weeks before July 4th and two weeks after July 4th. One may contact the Prince Georges' County Fire Department without fear of getting charged.
Montgomery County
No fireworks are allowed to be sold or possessed in Montgomery County.
Frederick County
ALLOWED: Gold label sparklers, novelty items and ground-based sparklers
Complete FAQ on Fireworks here.
Howard County
ALLOWED: Hand-held sparklers, Ignitable snakes, Party poppers, Snap and pops
BANNED: Fireworks, Ground-based sparklers
Anne Arundel County
ALLOWED: Sparklers, Non-aerial, non-exploding/Ground-based sparkling devices with less than 0.5 percent gun powder
Approved vendors are set up until July 5th.
Garrett County
ALLOWED: Hand-held sparklers, Ignitable snakes, Party poppers, Snap and Pops
Washington County
ALLOWED: Hand-held sparklers, Ignitable snakes, Party poppers, Snap and Pops
Alleghany County
ALLOWED: Hand-held sparklers, Ignitable snakes, Party poppers, Snap and Pops
Charles County
ALLOWED: Hand-held sparklers, Ignitable snakes, Party poppers, Snap and Pops
Calvert County
ALLOWED: Hand-held sparklers, Ignitable snakes, Party poppers, Snap and Pops
St. Mary's County
ALLOWED: Hand-held sparklers, Ignitable snakes, Party poppers, Snap and Pops
VIRGINIA
Below are the general state laws on fireworks. However, a county or town may have more restrictive laws.
ALLOWED: Sparklers, fountains, pharaoh's serpents, pinwheels, and whirligigs
BANNED: Prohibited: Firecrackers, skyrockets, torpedoes, and other fireworks which explode, travel laterally, rise into the air, or fire projectiles into the air.
Possessing, selling or using unlawful fireworks is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a fine of $2,500.
City of Alexandria
All fireworks and related products are banned for the City of Alexandria. There is zero tolerance.
Arlington County
ALLOWED: Sparklers, Consumer-grade Fireworks
BANNED:
-Items that travel more than 12 feet in to the air
-Items that make a salute or designed to explode or produce an explosive sound
Fairfax County
ALLOWED: Specific brands of Sparklers and other items listed here.
- Permissible Fireworks shall not explode, move or perform as a projectile.
- Permissible Fireworks shall not emit flame or sparks to a distance greater than 16.4 feet.
- Permissible Fireworks shall not be thrown or placed on any surface or article where it can cause an unwanted fire.
- Permissible Fireworks shall be used only on private property with the approval of the property owner.
- During the use of permissible fireworks, minors should be supervised by a parent or legal guardian.
- Permissible Fireworks shall not be used or ignited inside, under, or within 50 feet from any structure.
- Permissible Fireworks shall not be used or ignited within 100 feet of tents or membrane structures.
- Permissible Fireworks shall not be used or ignited within 300 feet of all fireworks retail sales locations including fireworks stands.
- The use of permissible fireworks for any purpose other than the approved and intended use shall be prohibited.
City of Falls Church
All fireworks are banned.
Spotsylvania County
ALLOWED: Sparklers, Items that do not travel in the air, do not explode or travel on the ground.
Loudoun County
ALLOWED: Specific brands of Sparklers and other items here.
Stafford County
Allowed: Specific brands of sparklers and other items here.
Prince William County
ALLOWED: Specific brands of sparklers and other items here.
BANNED: - Items that travel more than 12 to 16 feet
- Items that travel more than 12 feet in diameter
- Items that explode
- Bottle rockets
Fauquier County
ALLOWED: Sparklers, fireworks that DO NOT project into the air.
Culpeper County
ALLOWED: sparklers, fountains, Pharaoh's serpents, caps for pistols, or pinwheels commonly known as whirligigs or spinning jennies.
BANNED: Fireworks means any firecracker, torpedo, skyrocket, or other substance or object, of whatever form or construction, that contains any explosive or inflammable compound or substance, and is intended, or commonly known as fireworks, and which explodes, rises into the air or travels laterally, or fires projectiles into the air.
Written and compiled by: Elizabeth Jia
9NEWS NOW & WUSA9.com