Fireworks In The Yard
Occ. Code 2154.251 — not within 600 feet of a church, school or hospital, and never from a car
In Texas, a person may not explode or ignite fireworks within 600 feet of a church, a hospital other than a veterinary hospital, an asylum, a licensed child care center, or a school or college, unless that organization gives written authorization.
- Not within 100 feet of a place where flammable liquids or compressed gases are stored and dispensed.
- Not within 100 feet of a place where fireworks are stored or sold.
- Not in or from a motor vehicle, and no placing ignited fireworks in, or throwing them at, a motor vehicle.
What is permissible. Fireworks 1.4G are permissible fireworks, except sky rockets or bottle rockets below the sizes the section sets, small pop rockets, and other fireworks the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission does not accept.
Counties in a drought. When the Texas A&M Forest Service determines that drought conditions exist on average in a county, the commissioners court may by order prohibit or restrict the sale or use of restricted fireworks, meaning skyrockets with sticks and missiles with fins, in the unincorporated area. Knowingly or intentionally violating the order is a Class C misdemeanor.
Notice at the stand. Anyone selling fireworks in a county with such an order gives reasonable notice of the order, and of any safe area the county designates, at every location where fireworks are sold.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionFireworks are fine anywhere on a holiday | What the law actually doesNot within 600 feet of a church, hospital, child care center or school without written authorization, and not in or from a motor vehicle |
| The assumptionA county drought order stops all fireworks | What the law actually doesIt reaches restricted fireworks, skyrockets with sticks and missiles with fins, in the unincorporated area |
City ordinances, licensing of sellers and public displays are not all on this page. What a particular situation carries is a question for a licensed Texas attorney.
Sources for this section (3)
- Occ. Code 2154.251 — Prohibited use of fireworks
- Occ. Code 2154.003 — Permissible fireworks
- Local Gov't Code 352.051 — Regulation of restricted fireworks
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Texas attorney.