BOCA RATON, FL — Fireworks are legal in Florida on July 4. State law has said so since 2020.
Section 791.08 of the Florida Statutes lists three "designated holidays" on which the state allows the use of fireworks: New Year's Day, Independence Day and New Year's Eve. The exemption was added to Chapter 791 by the Legislature in 2020 and applies statewide.
The rule is often misunderstood because Florida's fireworks laws are layered. Retail sale is tightly regulated year-round, most use is prohibited outside the three designated days, and enforcement stays with local police. Homeowners' associations retain some authority under existing covenants. Palm Beach County and Broward County residents heading into the holiday weekend are working through all of it at once.
Here is what state law actually says, what Palm Beach County is asking pet owners to do, and where South Florida cities are hosting official Fourth of July celebrations.
What state law allows on July 4
Under Section 791.08, the general Chapter 791 prohibition on fireworks does not apply on Jan. 1, July 4 or Dec. 31. The exemption covers use, not year-round retail sale, and does not lift other public safety, fire code or property rules.
The statute also carves out an exception for homeowners' associations. HOAs can enforce a prohibition on fireworks that is written into a recorded declaration of covenants or a covenant running with the land, according to the statute. However, an HOA board cannot pass new rules that override a homeowner's right to use fireworks on one of the three designated holidays.
Enforcement of Chapter 791 stays with local law enforcement, according to Section 791.001. That covers illegal sales, storage violations, unpermitted public displays and use of fireworks outside the three designated days, including in cities such as Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Coral Springs and Fort Lauderdale.
What is always legal
Separate from the designated-holiday exemption, some items are legal in Florida at any time under Section 791.01. Those include state-approved sparklers, snakes and glow worms, smoke devices, party poppers, booby traps, snappers, trick matches, cigarette loads and auto burglar alarm devices.
Only sparklers approved by the Division of the State Fire Marshal may be sold in the state, and retailers must be registered with the division, according to Sections 791.013 and 791.015. The state publishes an approved list each year.
Palm Beach County pet safety guidance
The Palm Beach County Public Safety Department's Animal Care and Control Division, known as PBCACC, issued its annual holiday pet safety reminder Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
Animal shelters see a 30% to 60% increase in lost pets between July 4 and 6, according to PBCACC, and July 4 is the top day for lost pets in the United States.
The agency said the most reliable way to reunite a lost pet with its owner is an up-to-date microchip. PBCACC scans every animal that arrives at its shelter for a chip and tries to reach the registered owner by letter, email and phone. Microchip information does not update automatically after an adoption, according to the agency, so new owners have to register the chip and keep the contact information current.
Owners who do not know their pet's microchip number can find it on adoption paperwork or have a veterinary clinic scan the animal, PBCACC said.
The agency also recommended walking dogs earlier in the evening so they are not outside during fireworks, setting up a quiet space at home with familiar toys, blankets and white noise, and locking doors, gates and windows so pets do not slip out during a gathering.
If a pet does get loose, PBCACC asked residents to post the animal to its SNAP "lost" page as soon as possible and check the "found" page daily. Lost and found pets can be searched at pbc.gov/SNAP. The shelter opens for public kennel viewing at noon every day.
Local Fourth of July celebrations
South Florida cities are hosting sanctioned Independence Day events this weekend, most featuring professional fireworks displays permitted separately under Section 791.02, which requires a local permit and an approved operator.
Boca Post's coverage of some local Fourth of July events:
- Boca Raton Plans Daylong Fourth Of July Celebration For America 250
- West Boca July 4 Fireworks, Concert Set For Sunset Cove Amphitheater
- Coral Springs Fourth of July Event Brings Fireworks, Music, Food Trucks
- Boynton Beach to Host Free July 4 Fireworks at Intracoastal Park, Calling It Palm Beach County's Largest
- Wellington Celebrates America 250 With Concerts, Pool Party and July 4 Fireworks
- West Palm Beach adds laser show to free 4th on Flagler fireworks for America’s 250th
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