Thinking of lighting up fireworks on the Fourth of July? Here’s what you can do in Texas

Megan Cardona
·3 min read

There are limited days in Texas when fireworks can be sold and the Fourth of July holiday is one of those times.

Permitted retailers may sell fireworks from June 24 until July 4, according to the Texas Department of Insurance. While North Texans can buy fireworks from stands, the projectiles can’t be shot off just anywhere.

Here’s what to know about fireworks this Independence Day weekend.

What fireworks are illegal

In Texas the common 1.4G fireworks are permissible to be sold on designated days throughout the year.

Retail fireworks selling season dates are typically around holidays such as Fourth of July, Christmas, New Year’s and Texas Independence Day.

Illegal fireworks include sky rockets, or bottle rockets, with a propellant charge of less than four grams, an outside diameter casing size of less than five-eighths of an inch and an overall length, including stick, of less than 15 inches.

Pop rockets with a less than five-inch propellant casing length, an exterior diameter less than three-fourths of an inch and an overall total rocket length less than 26 inches are also not permissible, according to the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Where can you light up fireworks

Fireworks can’t be shot off just anywhere in town.

Igniting personal fireworks are restricted to unincorporated parts of Tarrant County, as long as its your property or you received permission from the property owner.

Other limitations by the Tarrant County Fire Marshal’s Office include:

  • Exploding or igniting fireworks within 600 feet of any church, hospital, asylum, a licensed child care center or schools unless they receive written authorization from that organization.

  • Exploding or igniting fireworks within 100 feet of where flammable liquids or compressed gasses are stored and dispensed.

  • Exploding or igniting fireworks within 100 feet of where fireworks are stored or sold.

  • Igniting or discharging fireworks within or from a motor vehicle.

  • Igniting or placing ignited fireworks in a motor vehicle or throwing fireworks at a motor vehicle.

If property damage that exceeds $200 occurs because of a violation of the limitations or the incident results in bodily injury or death, the offense is classified as a Class B misdemeanor.

Reporting illegal fireworks

Both Fort Worth and Arlington have ways to report illegal fireworks activity.

Fort Worth residents are asked to call 817-392-4444 or report through the MyFW app using the red banner at the bottom of a smartphone screen. Reports can also be made at reportfireworks.fortworthtexas.gov.

Arlington residents are asked to report illegal firework activity at arlingtontx.gov/reportfireworks or using the Ask Arlington app on a smartphone.

How to dispose of fireworks

If you have fireworks to dispose, do not place them in garbage or recycling bins and do not take them to environmental collection centers or solid waste drop-off stations.

For Fort Worth residents, contact the Fort Worth Fire Department at 817-392-6850 or FWFire@fortworthtexas.gov to schedule a drop off or arrange a pick up to dispose of fireworks.

Arlington residents should contact the Arlington Fire Department at 817-459-5539 or www.arlingtontx.gov to schedule a drop off or arrange a pick up for fireworks disposal.

Check with your municipal fire department for information on how to dispose of fireworks.