2023 FIREWORK LAW FAQ
Fireworks are still legal to buy and shoot in South Carolina, but residents of Richland County, SC and the City of Columbia need to be aware of recent changes to the law regarding the use of fireworks. Greenville County and the city of Greenville have already enacted similar laws.
As of Nov 1, 2022, the City Council of Columbia, South Carolina ruled that fireworks must be shot after 7:00 AM and before 10:00 PM daily, with two exceptions:
On July 4th and New Year’s Eve holidays, you can shoot fireworks until 1:00 AM the following day (July 4th and January 1).
- It is now illegal to negligently, recklessly, or intentionally direct the discharge of fireworks towards a structure, animal, or person
- You also can’t intentionally detonate fireworks upon the land of another without express prior consent
- It is illegal to offer for sale or sell permissible fireworks to children under the age of sixteen (16) years unless accompanied by a parent
- It is now illegal to ignite or detonate fireworks within six hundred (600) feet of a church, hospital, public school, unless the church, hospital, or public school is holding an event or has given permission for the use of fireworks on or near its property
- One now cannot legally ignite or detonate permissible fireworks within a motor vehicle or discharge a permissible fireworks from a motor vehicle
- It is also illegal to place or throw an ignited firework into or at a motor vehicle
- In Greenville County, fireworks are allowed until 1 a.m. going into July 5.
- In the city of Greenville, the Fourth of July is an exception to the general noise ordinance. Shooting off fireworks is not allowed after 12:30 a.m. on July 5. Sparklers and other similar fireworks that don’t make noise are also an exception.
- Fireworks are not allowed within the Mauldin and Travelers Rest city limits.
- Fireworks are allowed in the Greer, Fountain Inn and Simpsonville city limits.
- Fireworks are legal in Spartanburg County, but not within Spartanburg city limits.
- Fireworks are legal in both Anderson County and within Anderson city limits.
For most cities, fireworks are legal and safe to light every day. According to the S.C. Code of Laws, Title 23 Chapter 35, consumer-grade fireworks are legal to buy, store and shoot for those aged 16 and older. Fireworks are legal to buy year-round and not just on July 4th or New Year’s Eve. Local ordinances may differ, but all firework prohibited zones must be clearly marked with a 12″ x 12″ sign clearly stating that fireworks are prohibited. Otherwise, within city limits on July 4th or New Year’s Eve, fireworks are governed by noise restrictions. So, be safe and respectful of your neighbors, and enjoy shooting fireworks all year long in South Carolina.
Yes, as long as you take some common sense precautions. Casey’s “Ground Zone” fireworks are family-friendly and stay on the ground. Casey’s also offers noise-free fireworks. Adult supervision is critical. As long as you are over 16 years old, you can buy and shoot fireworks yourself. Always read and follow instructions on firework labels and shoot fireworks only under the supervision of an adult.
Check with your local laws of course, but typically fireworks are governed under similar laws to noise restrictions. If you are shooting late enough (like 2 AM to 3 AM on a weekend or after midnight on a weekday) to bother your neighbors, they can certainly call the police. The good news is that, if you are exercising good safety, most police officers are sympathetic, and will typically ask how late you’ll be shooting. As long as you stick to your schedule and don’t shoot too late, you’ll typically be fine. Informing your neighbors beforehand is a great way to include them and keep the tradition alive.
Unlike other states that only allow the sale of so-called “safe and sane” fireworks, South Carolina allows any Consumer-class (C-class) fireworks, with a few exceptions. Bottle rockets smaller than 3.5 inches are not allowed in SC, as well as so-called “cherry bomb” firecrackers, also called “ground salutes.” As long as you steer clear of these illegal fireworks, your show should be well within legal limits.
Casey’s Fireworks offers several different options for those who are on a budget, but still want a great show. The trick is to mix firework types. Fountains are inexpensive, safe, and great to set off early in your show. From there, you can move to aerial fireworks – bottle rockets, Roman Candles and Saturn Missiles. For the finale, pick up some mortar shells and multi-shot cakes. We offer packages featuring all the fireworks above for under $99.99
Myrtle Beach, Folly Beach, Hilton Head, and Kiawah Island have all prohibited fireworks. However, fireworks are allowed outside of Myrtle Beach city limits in Horry County and outside Charleston city limits in Charleston County. Fireworks are not permitted in Beaufort County. Hardeeville permits firework use on July 4th and “similar holidays.”
In the state of South Carolina, it is legal to buy, sell, and store fireworks year-round. This is true for tourists and newcomers to the state of S.C. as well as locals. As long as you can prove you are over the age of 16, you don’t need to be a resident of South Carolina to buy fireworks from South Carolina.
Unlike other states that require or prohibit purchasers of fireworks to be from that specific state, South Carolina does not require its firework customers to be S.C. residents or possess an S.C. driver’s license.
