As of 2022, Ohioans can legally discharge 1.4G consumer fireworks within the state on certain days unless the relevant political subdivision has chosen to ban their use. West Chester Township, Butler County, Ohio has not banned use and will enforce the law as written.

Within the State of Ohio, Ohioans can discharge consumer grade fireworks only on certain dates.

Ohio Fireworks Holidays

• July 3, 4, and 5, and the Friday, Saturday and Sunday immediately before and after July 4th (4 p.m.-11 p.m.)
• Labor Day weekend (4 p.m.-11 p.m.)
• Diwali (4 p.m.-11 p.m.)
• New Year’s Eve (4 p.m.-11:59 p.m.)
• New Year’s Day (12 a.m.-1 a.m.; 4 p.m.-11 p.m.)
• Lunar New Year (4 p.m.-11 p.m.)
• Cinco de Mayo (4 p.m.-11 p.m.)
• Memorial Day weekend (4 p.m.-11 p.m.)
• Juneteenth (4 p.m.-11 p.m.)

Consumers can discharge fireworks on their own property or on another person’s property if the owner of that property has given express permission for fireworks to be discharged on their property.

Ohio Fireworks Regulations

The Ohio Revised Code (R.C.)§ 3743.45 (effective July 1, 2022) and Ohio Fire Code (OFC) § 5626 (effective July 3, 2022) regulate usage. Relevant OFC provisions outline how 1.4G consumer fireworks must be used and stored by consumers. Some provisions in the rules include:

• 1.3G display fireworks are NOT permitted to be purchased or discharged
• No person under the age of 18 is permitted to handle or discharge fireworks
• Persons under the age of 18 cannot be within 150 feet of the discharge point of aerial fireworks
• Aerial devices cannot be discharged within 150 feet of spectators (this includes aerial shells, roman candles, cakes, and bottle rockets)*
• Non-aerial devices cannot be discharged within 50 feet of spectators (this includes fountains, firecrackers, and ground effect devices)*
• No person can store in excess of 125 pounds (net weight of pyrotechnic composition) of fireworks unless they have additional safety measures and safeguards in place for such storage.

*Note: Separation distances – for both aerial and non-aerial devices – are increased for certain types of locations such as hospitals, schools, healthcare and residential facilities, apartment and multi-tenant buildings, military installations and railroads. 

Fireworks Safety

Fireworks are extremely dangerous so please be safe and follow basic safety protocols. Each year, thousands of people are injured in fireworks-related incidents and sadly, many die as a result. In addition, fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires each year resulting in extensive damage to structures, vehicles, and property.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission offers the following guidelines for safety:

• Never allow young children to handle fireworks
• Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear
• Never hold lit fireworks in your hands
• Never light fireworks indoors
• Only use fireworks away from people, houses, and flammable material
• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
• Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
• Keep water or a fire extinguisher nearby to fully douse fireworks that don’t discharge or in case of fire

Fireworks Questions

Contact the West Chester Fire Department Loss Prevention Bureau online or by phone at (513) 777-1133 with fireworks questions.