Technically, it is illegal under Florida law to use fireworks anywhere, unless they are used for «agricultural purposes,» such as scaring birds or snakes. As a reminder, Florida`s fireworks laws define «fireworks» as anything that explodes or explodes. This includes your artillery shells, fireworks, rockets, things like that. This is different from «sparks,» which, for the purposes of Florida law (and nowhere else in the world), mean things like fountains, novelties, and, of course, sparks. Here are the guidelines for fireworks safety from the office of Jimmy Patronis, Florida`s chief financial officer and state fire marshal: Floridians who buy fireworks have long been required by law to sign an affidavit stating that their Roman candles, sparks, and spinners are used for agricultural and fishing purposes to scare birds. Congratulations on the day off, but the short answer is no. If you have no exceptions to agricultural or fish hatcheries, you must keep them for the fourth of July. Your neighbors will probably thank you for sticking to the legal days. The act, which regulates the three designated holidays, provides an exception to existing laws that designate fireworks as «any flammable or explosive composition or substance or combination of substances.» produced for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation. But on April 8, 2020, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that brings some clarity to the situation: SB140. While we are not lawyers and cannot provide legal advice, here is our take on what all of this means.
But not everyone is ready to go into business as usual, and a Florida law in 2020 that includes three fireworks «vacations» — New Year`s Eve, New Year`s Day and Independence Day — makes it easier for pyrotechnicians to stay closer to home. Here`s the breakdown of what`s legal to buy in First Coast counties and what`s not: «Every year around the fourth of July, on blogs, Facebook, and in the media, people complain that these are illegal,» Hutson said. You should sign a waiver that says you`re using it that way,» said Green Cove Springs Police Chief Derek Asdot. You can only use fireworks that burst or leave the ground to scare off animals to protect livestock. Otherwise, they are illegal. Basically, this includes anything that flies, visibly explodes, and/or explodes audibly, with the notable exception of sparks, hooded pistols, smoke bombs, party poppers, and snappers, which were already legally authorized for use in Florida. The danger was heightened when more than 37,000 fireworks were recently recalled because they contained too much explosive material. Asdot said the loophole is similar to smoking rooms that sell pipes and bongs. In themselves, they are legal, but once used to smoke marijuana or crack, they become illegal accessories. On these «designated holidays,» people who light up the kind of popular fireworks found in shops and street stalls, such as Roman candles, bottle rockets, aerial fireworks, fountains, and other new fireworks, can do so without having to prove that they are using them for agricultural purposes — the often abused warning that has allowed residents in recent years to: Fireworks to buy.
Duval County, Nassau County, and Putnam County prohibit the sale of fireworks that fly or explode. Sparkling fireworks or fountains can be sold and used. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a new bill Wednesday that gives backyard pyrotechnicians a different option. Fireworks are now legal on the fourth of July, New Year`s Eve and New Year`s Day. For years, Florida`s fireworks laws have been.. interesting. Through a combination of unclear regulations and precedents set by lawsuits, Florida has essentially decided that fireworks are illegal but can still be sold, but only if customers sign a waiver agreeing that these fireworks cannot be used, with a few exceptions.
And how is all this applied? Maybe it is, maybe it`s not. Related: Working on the First Coast: Friday, the fourth of July means a great fireworks company in Jacksonville There are plenty of free public fireworks on the First Coast and its surroundings over the next few days. Take advantage of an unusual legal issue that allows for Roman candles, bottle rockets, and fireworks. The same law provides an exception for farmers who must frighten predators of their livestock and birds of their crops. The only fireworks sold to the general public in most counties, such as Duval and Nassau, are those classified as «sparks,» or fireworks that do not fly or explode. Florida lawmakers agree so much with Kicking Wing that they have limited state law to the most harmless fireworks display — snakes and sparks. Here`s what you need to know to stay legal and safe with fireworks during this New Year`s eve celebration: The bottom line is that the Legislative Assembly wrote this law to deal with the reality of the situation. People buy and use all kinds of fireworks during this holiday anyway, not just novelties and fountains on the ground, so it makes sense to allow it specifically. For the most part, it doesn`t change anything, except that you can enjoy your fireworks with a little more peace of mind. This new bill explicitly states that it is not intended to replace local fireworks laws, so you should always be aware of the restrictions in your area. It also notes that while an owners` association may have restrictions on fireworks in its legally signed agreements, an HOA board of directors cannot simply adopt rules to restrict your right to use fireworks. If it`s not in the wedding rings, then shoot! SB140 really does one main thing – it defines «certain holidays» when people can fire fireworks legally.
There are now three dates where you can shoot all the fireworks you want: St. County. Johns, Clay County and Baker County allow the sale of fireworks that fly or explode, but only on the condition of signing an agricultural exemption. State Senator Travis Hutson, R-St. Augustine was one of the sponsors of the bill. Floridians will likely still have to sign an affidavit when they shop at fireworks vendors. ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – It wouldn`t be the fourth of July without fireworks, but before you buy a few, there are a few things to keep in mind. It`s easy to confuse what`s legal and what`s not, because laws vary from county to county. There are a lot of fireworks in St.
Johns County that are fine, but if you get caught dropping them off, you`re breaking the law. Kyle Compton got a contract for fireworks at a Phantom Fireworks tent in St. Augustine: «I bought this one, they buy one, get one for free, and I got two packs of wolf pack fireworks,» Compton said, but before he could leave with them, the seller, Rick Standifer, forced him to sign a waiver. Whoever buys the fireworks that actually fall under this law, we have a form that they fill out that says we are aware of the laws and phantom is not responsible,» said Standifer.Il the same goes for Clay and Baker counties, but in Duval, Nassau and Putnam counties, it is illegal to buy and light flying and explosive fireworks. On This Independence Day, the Sheriff`s Deputies of St. Johns County is looking for people who break the law. «Anything that blows through the air that erupts are things we`re going to look for, not only because it`s a safety issue for everyone involved, but also a fire hazard,» said Sgt. Catherine Payne of the St. Johns County Sheriff`s Office. According to the state fire marshal, Duval County leads northeast Florida in fireworks accidents. Since 2009, there have been 42 fireworks-related fires in Duval County; St. Johns County had 14; Clay County had five and Nassau County had four incidents.
Compton said he is looking forward to enjoying his fourth July and will celebrate with caution. «I`m going to cut them down on the street, away from the trees and everyone,» said Compton.In St. Johns County, if you buy fireworks that fly or explode, you can only turn them on for agricultural reasons after signing an exemption. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, sparks cause most injuries because they can heat up so quickly. So, basically, your Independence Day and New Year`s fireworks. Sparklers have always been allowed in Florida and this new law has no bearing on that. It only deals with «fireworks» that go into the air or explode, so they can now be used on newly defined «holidays.» Could a lack of fireworks affect the festivities: Phantom Fireworks urges customers to shop early But the law specifically prohibits cities and HOAs from creating new rules to prevent residents from enjoying fireworks holidays. Booms from above: Dogs «think they`re going to die» when fireworks go off. We can help them, and here`s how «if people call and complain, we`re going to introduce ourselves,» the boss said.
«We are not looking for anyone to imprison. We don`t go out to find fireworks. Of course, we hope that they will take care of it responsibly. We hope everyone remembers that these fireworks can blow your hand away. Many Florida cities are stepping up efforts to host public fireworks a year after the COVID-19 pandemic shattered last summer`s plans. «If you want to see fireworks, come to us during Riverfest [in May],» Asdot said. «The fourth, be sure to go to Moosehaven.