Fireworks Regulations

Ohio House Bill 172 went into effect on Jul 1, 2022, allowing Ohioans to discharge 1.4G consumer fireworks in Ohio legally. However, discharge is only permitted on specific days and times. On Sept 6, 2022, Clyde City Council passed Ordinance No. 22-46 that rescinded the City's ban on fireworks and aligned with the State's fireworks law. 

What are 1.4G Fireworks?
Formerly known as Class C common fireworks, items classified as 1.4G explosives are consumer fireworks intended for use by the general public.

When can Clyde residents discharge fireworks? 
Individuals can discharge 1.4G consumer fireworks only from 4 pm until 11 pm (per HB 172) on the following dates: 

  • July 3, 4, and 5, and the Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays immediately preceding and following Jul 4
  • Labor Day weekend - First Monday in September and the preceding Saturday and Sunday
  • Diwali - The actual day of only – Not the five days that it is celebrated
  • New Year's Eve (4 pm - 11:59 pm)
  • New Year's Day (also 12 am - 1 am) + (4 pm - 11 pm)
  • Chinese New Year 
  • Cinco de Mayo 
  • Memorial Day weekend – The last Monday in May and the preceding Saturday and Sunday
  • Juneteenth  

The Discharge of Fireworks is prohibited within City Limits on any date not listed above.

Where can consumers discharge fireworks?
Consumers can discharge 1.4G consumer fireworks on their property or another person's property with that person's permission. 

What fireworks can consumers discharge?
Consumers (Ohio residents and non-residents) can only discharge 1.4G consumer-grade fireworks that were purchased in Ohio from an Ohio-licensed fireworks sale location. Consumers are not allowed to buy or discharge 1.3G display-grade fireworks. 

Fireworks must be discharged responsibly. 
No person can use fireworks while in possession or control of, or under the influence of, any intoxicating liquor, beer, or controlled substance. A person who violates this is guilty of a first-degree misdemeanor. 

What laws and rules apply?
State law rules how 1.4G consumer fireworks must be used and stored by consumers. Some provisions in the rules include:

  • No person under 18 is permitted to handle or discharge fireworks.
  • Persons under 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).
  • Note: These separation distances – for both aerial and non-aerial devices – are increased for certain types of occupancies such as hospitals, schools, healthcare and residential facilities, apartment and multi-tenant buildings, military installations, and railroads.
  • A person can store up to 125 pounds (net weight pyrotechnic composition) of fireworks if they have additional safety measures and safeguards in place for such storage.
  • Fireworks cannot be discharged indoors.
  • Fireworks cannot be aimed at or discharged toward any person or object (such as buildings).
  • Fireworks cannot be discharged on public property or private school property.
  • Fireworks cannot be discharged if drought conditions exist or in an area where a red flag warning is in place or a weather hazard exists.

More information about HB 172 and Ohio fireworks regulations can be found at https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/134/hb172.