From the Librarian Files
Stands selling fireworks pop up all over Tucson and Arizona each July, but have you ever wondered which fireworks are actually usable under our current laws?
Over the past few years, these laws have undergone big changes. If you’re thinking about kicking off your next holiday celebration with a bang, read on for more information about how state and local regulations might affect you.
Arizona Laws
Arizona’s law on fireworks changed effective December 1, 2010, as a result of House Bill 2246 (laws 2010, Chapter 286). This bill was passed by the Arizona Legislature, and amended the state's previous fireworks statute.
The amended statute allows for “permissible” fireworks to be sold within Arizona. Permissible fireworks are designed to be handheld or to remain on the ground.
Permissible fireworks are:
- Ground and handheld sparkling devices
- Cylindrical fountains
- Cone fountains
- Illuminating torches
- Wheels
- Ground spinners
- Flitter sparklers
- Toy smoke devices
- Wire sparklers or dipped sticks
- Multiple tube fireworks devices and pyrotechnic articles
- Also, because sparklers, snakes and smoke bombs are considered novelty devices, their use isn't restricted.
Some examples of items that aren't permitted under the current law:
- Bottle rockets
- Sky rockets
- Missile-type rockets
- Helicopters
- Torpedoes
- Roman candles
- Jumping jacks
Even though Arizona law allows the sale of permissible fireworks, individual cities are able to prohibit their use, and counties can decide to place limits on use in unincorporated areas during periods when wildfire risk is elevated.
Tucson Laws
Prior to 2014, Tucson was one city that had chosen to make setting off fireworks illegal. Senate Bill 1158, signed in 2014 by Governor Jan Brewer, superceded that restriction. SB 1158 requires Pima and Maricopa cities and towns to allow the sale and use of ground fireworks around the times of 4th of July and New Years. See list of permitted fireworks above.
For more information about state firework laws, visit the American Pyrotechnics Association.
Sources:
- City of Tucson, email to Pima County Public Library, December 2010.
- House Bill 2246. Arizona State Legislature (accessed January 14, 2013).
- Directory of State Laws. American Pyrotechnics Association (accessed January 14, 2013).
- Mayor and Council Communication (accessed November 8, 2011; no longer available).
- Some fireworks now legal in Arizona after Dec. 1 - Tucson News Now Tucson News Now. (accessed January 14, 2013).
- Arizona Fireworks Laws: Maricopa and Pima counties Arizona Republic, June 23, 2015