Fireworks in Georgetown

Fireworks are illegal within the city limits of Georgetown

Only professional, licensed fireworks displays are allowed.

The Georgetown Fire Department reminds everyone that City of Georgetown Ordinance prohibits the use of fireworks.

The Georgetown Police Department will enforce the fireworks ordinance. This ordinance applies to all areas within the city limits and the unincorporated areas within 5,000 feet of the city limits as stated in the City of Georgetown Code of Ordinances (Chapter 8.08 Fireworks). Maximum fine for this offense is $2,000. For more information, contact the Georgetown Police Department at 512-930-3510.

To report the illegal use of fireworks in your area, call the Georgetown Police Department at 512-930-3510 ext. 0. Please have the violator’s full address for the police department when making your call.

Williamson County has created an interactive map to assist in determining the firework regulations in your area.  To search your area for the latest information, please follow this link Williamson County Firework Ordinance Map.

Firework Safety

In 2020, an annual report released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) stated eighteen people died and over 15,600 sustained injuries serious enough to require emergency medical care after a firework-related incident. There were an estimated 1,600 emergency department-treated injuries associated with firecrackers and 900 with sparklers. Adults aged 25 to 44 years of age account of 35% of the injuries.  Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for 18% of the injuries.

Sparklers are HOT, reaching temperatures of nearly 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals. Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing, and children have received severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet. According to data provided by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), sparklers account for more than one-quarter of firework-related injuries requiring an emergency room visits.  Approximately 25% of all sparkler-related injuries reported each year involve children under the age of 10 years old.

Additionally, fireworks cause an average of 19,500 fires each year, including 1,900 structure fires, 500 vehicle fires and nearly 17,100 outside and other fires.

FAQ

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF A FIREWORK?

 Common Definition: A firework is any device that can be used or intends to produce a striking display such as light, noise, or smoke, or a combination of those, by the combustion of explosive or flammable composition.

City Ordinance Definition: “Fireworks” means and includes any firecrackers, cannon crackers, skyrockets, torpedoes, Roman candles, sparklers, squibs, fire balloons, star shells, gerbs, or any other substance in whatever combination by any designated name intended for use in obtaining visible or audible pyrotechnic display and includes all articles or substances within the commonly accepted meaning of fireworks, whether specifically designated and defined in this chapter or not

The exceptions defined by the U.S. Department of Transportation do not classify the following items as common fireworks, and their use is allowed by the City of Georgetown Ordinance:

• Snake, GlowWorms – Pressed pellet of pyrotechnic composition that produces a large, snakelike ash upon burning. The ash expands in length as the pellet burns. These devices may not contain mercuric thiocyanate.
• Smoke Device – Tube or sphere containing pyrotechnic composition that, upon ignition, produces white or colored smoke as the primary effect.
• Wire Sparkler – Wire coated with pyrotechnic composition that produces a shower of sparks upon ignition. These items may not contain magnesium and must not exceed 100g of composition per item. Devices containing any chlorate or perchlorate salts may not exceed 5g of composition per item.
• Trick Noisemaker – Item produces a small report intended to surprise the user. These devices include:
  • • • Party Popper – (also known by other names such as “Champagne Party Poppers,” and “Party Surprise Poppers,”) Small plastic or paper item containing not more than .25mg of pyrotechnic composition that is friction-sensitive. A string protruding from the device is pulled to ignite it, expelling paper streams and producing a small report.
      • Booby Trap – Small tube with string protruding from both ends, similar to a party popper in design. The ends of the string are pulled to ignite the friction-sensitive composition, producing a small report.
      • Snapper – Small, paper-wrapped item containing a minute quantity of explosive composition coated on small bits of sand. When dropped, the device explodes, producing a small report.
      • Trick Match – Kitchen or book match that has been coated with a small quantity of explosive or pyrotechnic composition. Upon ignition of the match, a small report or a shower of sparks is produced.
      • Cigarette Load – Small wooden peg that has been coated with a small quantity of explosive or pyrotechnic composition. Upon ignition of the match, a small report or a shower of sparks is produced.
      • Auto Burglar Alarm – A tube which contains pyrotechnic composition that produces a loud whistle and/or smoke when ignited. A small quantity of explosive, not exceeding 50mg, also may be used to produce a small report. A squib is used to ignite the device.

WHAT IS THE PENALTY FOR VIOLATING THE CITY ORDINANCE PROHIBITING FIREWORKS?

• Explosives and fireworks located within the fire limits are declared to be a public nuisance.
• Any person violating any portion or provision of the specific article of this ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by the assessment of fines up to $2,000.
• Any parent or guardian of any minor child below the age of 17 who permits or allows such minor child to use, discharge, ignite, detonate, fire or otherwise set in action any fireworks shall be punished by the assessment of fines up to $2,000.