Georgia and Manchester Fireworks laws

🧨 What’s Allowed & When

• Use of consumer fireworks (anything meeting DOT 1.4G standards: firecrackers, roman candles, skyrockets, sparklers etc.) is legal statewide—no longer just around holidays (jewkesfirm.com, 11alive.com).
• Time restrictions:
  • Regular days: 10:00 a m to 11:59 p m.
  • Special holidays – Memorial Day weekend, July 3 & 4, Labor Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day: can use until 11:59 p m, extended to 1:00 a m on New Year’s Eve & Day (law.justia.com, jewkesfirm.com).
  • Local governments may only expand permitted times, not restrict them further (accg.org).

🚫 Prohibited Uses & Locations

You cannot:

1. Set off fireworks indoor, or near public roads, railroads, highways (law.justia.com).
2. Use them within 100 yards of electric plants, fuel stations, prisons, hospitals, airports, or hospitals/nursing homes (unless written permission is given) (walb.com).
3. Ignite them while under the influence of alcohol or drugs .
4. Release sky lanterns (“floating lanterns”) into air or waterways – strictly forbidden (rules.sos.ga.gov).

👤 Age Restrictions & Sales Rules

• Under 18:
  • Cannot buy, use, or possess consumer fireworks (law.justia.com).
  • 16–17-year-olds may assist licensed sellers at stands and handle fireworks, provided they’re not transporting them on interstates (law.justia.com).
• Sales rules:
  • Must be done in-person to buyers aged 18+ with government ID .
  • Only allowed through licensed distributors, at permanent stores or temporary stands compliant with NFPA 1124: proper signage, safety distances, fire hydrant access, insurance/bonding (rules.sos.ga.gov).
  • No street/drive-through sales .

🏛️ Public Displays

• Any public fireworks show must be:
  • Equipped with a permit from local fire authority (filed 10+ days in advance) (rules.sos.ga.gov, law.justia.com).
  • Conducted by a licensed pyrotechnician.
  • Backed by a $50,000 bond or liability insurance (bodily injury and property damage) .
  • Assisted by qualified staff .

🌎 Local Control

• Local jurisdictions cannot ban personal fireworks outright—they can only add permissible time allowances or specific use rules via special permits, noise ordinances, and land-use permitting (accg.org).
• Municipalities can ban fireworks on public property (e.g., parks, civic spaces) using general property control laws .

📑 Why This Matters

• In July 2015, HB 110 reinstated legal sales and year‑round use of consumer fireworks, ending a prior statewide ban (accg.org).
• This modernization allowed Georgia to align with other states (e.g., Florida, Texas) that permit DOT 1.4G fireworks (11alive.com).
• Homeowners enjoy extended celebration freedom—but must stay mindful of limits near sensitive locations, and that local bans on public lands may still be in effect.

✅ Summary Table

💡 Safety Tips

• Always follow warning labels and retailer signage (walb.com, rules.sos.ga.gov).
• Keep fireworks a safe distance from structures, vehicles, and flammable materials.
• Never use fireworks under the influence.
• Check local rules—some cities/counties prohibit use on public property (e.g., parks).

Georgia’s fireworks laws offer robust freedom for celebrations, tempered by common-sense safety norms and respect for public spaces. If you’re planning to light a rocket this July, follow the time windows, double-check your location, and ensure all legal conditions are met

City of Manchester Code on Consumer fireworks displays.

• Sec. 64-22. – Consumer fireworks displays.Share Link to sectionPrint sectionDownload (Docx) of sectionsEmail section(a)It shall be lawful for any person 18 years of age or older to use or ignite or cause to be ignited or to possess, transport, or store consumer fireworks that are considered legal in the state of Georgia.(b)It shall be lawful for any person, firm, corporation, association, or partnership to use or ignite or cause to be ignited any consumer fireworks anywhere in this state except:(1)As provided for under state law.(2)In any location where such person, firm, corporation, association, or partnership is not lawfully present or is not otherwise lawfully permitted to use or ignite or cause to be ignited any consumer fireworks.(3)Within 100 yards a facility engaged in the retail sale of gasoline or other flammable or combustible liquids or gases where the volume stored is more than 500 gallons for the purpose of retail sale; or a facility engaged in the production, refining, processing, or blending of any flammable or combustible liquids or gases for retail purposes; any public or private electric substation; or a jail or prison.(4)Within 100 yards of the boundaries of any public use air facility under Title 6 of Georgia Law or any public use landing area or platform marked and designed for the landing use by helicopters.(5)Within any park, historic site, recreational area, or other property, which is owned by or operated by, for, or under the custody and control of the City of Manchester, except pursuant to a special events permit that has been granted by the City of Manchester.(6)Within any park, historic site, recreational area, or other property, which is owned by or operated by, for, or under the custody and control of the state, except pursuant to any rules and regulations of the agency or department having control of such property which may allow for such use or ignition of consumer fireworks.(7)Within 100 yards of a hospital, nursing home, or other health care facility regulated under Chapter 7 of Title 13 of Georgia Law; provided, however, that an owner or operator of such facility may use or ignite or cause to be ignited consumer fireworks on the property of such facility or may grant written permission to any person, firm, corporation, association or partnership to use or ignite or cause to be ignited consumer fireworks on the property of such facility [Cross Reference: O.C.G.A. § 25-10-2]; or(8)While under the influence of alcohol or any drug or any combination of alcohol and any drug to the extent that it is less safe or unlawful for such a person to ignite consumer fireworks as provided for in state law. [Cross Reference: O.C.G.A. § 25-10-2.1].(c)Any person, firm, corporation, association, or partnership may use or ignite or cause to be ignited any consumer fireworks for the amusement of the public or special event, must obtain a special events permit and shall designate the time or times and location that such person, firm, corporation, association, or partnership may use or ignite or cause to be ignited such consumer fireworks.(d)Whenever the governor issues a declaration of drought, the governor may, for the boundaries of the area covered by such declaration, enact further regulations and restrictions concerning the use of consumer fireworks than provided for under this chapter; provided, however, that no such further regulations or restrictions on the use of consumer fireworks shall be effective pursuant to this subparagraph on January 1, July 3, July 4, or December 31 of any year; provided, further, that such further regulations or restrictions shall only apply to the exact boundaries of the area covered by such declaration and shall only apply with regard to the ignition of consumer fireworks; and provided, further, that upon expiration or conclusion of such declaration, such further regulations or restrictions shall be rescinded by law.State Law reference— The use of fireworks is governed by State Law, O.C.G.A. Title 25, Chapter 10 Regulation of Fireworks.(Ord. of 01-14-2025(3), 1-14-2025)