Fireworks In The Yard
G.S. 14-410 — pyrotechnics are prohibited, with the exceptions 14-414 lists
In North Carolina, it is unlawful to manufacture, purchase, sell, possess, use or discharge pyrotechnics of any description, except as the section provides, chiefly licensed displays at concerts and public exhibitions.
What the article does not reach. Wire sparklers of not more than 100 grams of mixture per item; other hand-held or ground-based sparkling devices that do not explode, do not spin and cannot propel themselves, with not more than 75 grams per tube or 200 grams for multiple tubes; snakes and glow worms; smoke devices; and trick noisemakers such as party poppers and snappers.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionFountains and sparklers are illegal here | What the law actually doesThe listed sparkling devices are outside the article |
| The assumptionAnything bought legally next door can be used here | What the law actually doesPyrotechnics outside the exceptions are unlawful to possess or use |
Local ordinances, homeowners' association rules, fire restrictions, and the licensing of sellers and display operators run alongside these sections and are not all on this page. Whether a particular device or a particular night is allowed where someone lives is a question for the local fire authority or a licensed North Carolina attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- G.S. 14-410 — Manufacture, sale and use of pyrotechnics prohibited; exceptions
- G.S. 14-414 — Pyrotechnics defined; exceptions
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed North Carolina attorney.