Laws in the Land of Fireworks: What You Need to Know in Texas

Whether it's for the Fourth of July, New Years Eve, or any huge celebration, fireworks are an absolute MUST. However you know that there are different fireworks laws in the state of Texas, depending on where you live. There are many things to consider like "what kind of fireworks am I allowed to buy?" "are there places that I CAN'T buy fireworks in Texas". An of course the big question: WHEN can you legally buy fireworks? Well that's what I'm here to tell you.

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When can you properly purchase fireworks in Texas?

The Houston trail attorney agency Gordon, Elias & Seely answered all the questions regarding fireworks in Texas. Fireworks are NOT available for purchase all year round; there are very specific times during the year where you CAN buy fireworks in the state. All of them regard federal holidays:

Fireworks can be sold in Texas between June 24th through July 4th and December 20th through January 1st for 4th of July and New Year’s Eve. So you can buy fireworks for 4th of July & New Years celebrations.
Texas Independence Day (February 25th-March 2nd)
San Jacinto Day (April 16th-21st)
Memorial Day (the Wednesday before Memorial Day through Memorial Day)
and of cities that are within 100 miles to the US/Mexican Border, i.e. El Paso, Laredo, Brownsville, etc (you can see a whole map of Texas border towns here) for Cinco De Mayo celebrations (May 1st to the 5th). This is of course, IF the city allows it.

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Where can I set off fireworks in Texas?

Of course once you buy a firework (or fireworks), you can't just set them off ANYWHERE. There are places that you CAN'T set them off. Including:

Within 600 feet of any church, hospital other than a veterinary hospital, an asylum, any retail store, a licensed child care center, or school (unless special permission has been given)
within or AT a motor vehicle,
within 300 miles from where fireworks are sold
and certainly not where there flammable materials near by.
You can see more listed from the Collin County Texas Fire Marshall website here.

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So basically, when you buy a firework...just use common sense. You can find out more regarding firework laws in Texas from the Texas Association of Counties here.