Fireworks - Are Yours Legal or Not?

Special News Release

It is that time of year again. With the 4th of July weekend just around the corner here is a summary of the Wisconsin fireworks law regarding wich fireworks are legal and which are illegal. Please note the guidelines listed below apply to the state law. Some materials described as legal according to state law may be prohibited by a local ordinance.

Legal Without a Permit:
State law allows the sale, possession and use, without a permit, of sparklers not exceeding 36 inches in length, stationary cones and fountains, toy snakes, smoke bombs, caps, noisemakers and confetti poppers with less than ¼ grain of explosive mixture. Wis. Stat. § 167.10(1). There is no age restriction on sale, possession or use of these devices and the statute does not classify them as fireworks. The use and sale of some of these items may be prohibited by local ordinances. These are the only kinds of "fireworks," as that word is commonly used, that a person may use or possess without a permit or that may be sold to a person who does not have a permit.

Illegal Without a Permit:
Possessing or using any other fireworks, including, for example, firecrackers, roman candles, bottle rockets and mortars, is illegal in Wisconsin without a valid permit. Wis. Stat. § 167.10(3). A commonly used rule of thumb is that a permit is required if the device explodes or leaves the ground. The sale of these fireworks to a person without a valid permit is also illegal, Wis. Stat. § 167.10(2), unless the seller is a wholesaler or jobber selling fireworks to a nonresident for shipment out of state. Wis. Stat. § 167.10(4).

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Sheriff "Chip" Meister
Sauk County Sheriff's Office