With July 4 coming up, those pop up fireworks tents are opening daily. What are the Florida fireworks laws? Are they legal? When can you light them? What can get you fined?
Are fireworks legal in Florida?
Yes. Those fireworks you see at those roadside tents? Those are ok according to the state of Florida. But there are some catches. First, no kids should touch them. You must be of at least 18 years of age to use fireworks.
Also, you can't just light fireworks up whenever you like. There are only three days when it's ok to set off fireworks in Florida. Obviously the 4th of July is the big one. The other two? New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. If you have leftovers on July 5, you're going to need to stash them away until December.
That said, there are things like sparklers and smoke bombs. Those you can use anytime because they're not considered fireworks. According Fox 35, the state of Florida considers fireworks to be "combustible or explosive composition or substance or combination of substances prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect."
That weird Florida fireworks loophole
Then there was always that crazy loophole. Floridians over the years have signed that silly waiver saying they're purchasing fireworks for "agricultural use." To get around the fireworks rules, you could utilize the loophole in Florida law and pretend you're lighting up the sky to scare birds away or trying to protect your fish hatcheries.
David McNew/Getty ImagesIt's not just Florida Fireworks Laws you need to know
Although fireworks are legal in Florida, some cities have their own laws so it's a good idea to call your local officials. For example, Belleair Beach and Clearwater have ordinances banning personal fireworks on the beach, according to Fox 13.
If you could fly from Tampa to our nation's capital, Boston or The Big Apple, which would you choose?
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
Our nation's capital does it big on the 4th of July. Traffic is a mess in DC, but when they light up those classic buildings in red white and blue it's pretty spectacular.
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)Fireworks explode on July 4, 2002 over the New York City skyline during the annual Fourth of July display. Despite the security concerns, New Yorkers and tourists massed by the thousands to watch a fireworks show that has been billed as the nation's largest, which included a moment of silence to remember those killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)Lady Liberty looking great! Fireworks explode over the Statue of Liberty in celebration of the anniversary of its dedication on October 28, 2011 in New York City. The celebrations for the worldwide symbol of freedom and of friendship between France and the United States included the naturalization of 125 new citizens from 46 nations and the installation of Internet webcams on the statue.
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
(Photo by Pete Souza/White House Photo via Getty Images)A crowd watches from the South Lawn of the White House as fireworks erupt over the National Mall on July 4, 2012 in Washington, DC.
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
(Photo by Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images)The Macy's 4th of July Fireworks explode along the East River from the One World Trade Center Observatory on July 4, 2015 in New York City.
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
BOSTON, MA - JULY 4: Specialist Leo Reardon, of the 182nd Infantry, salutes as fireworks explode over the Charles River July 4, 2003 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston fireworks display was chosen to be taped and broadcast to American's overseas this 4th of July. More than a half-million people came out to take in the show. (Photo by Jessica Rinaldi/Getty Images)
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
391477 05: Independence Day Fireworks explode over the skyline July 4, 2001 in Boston. (Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images)
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
BOSTON, MA - JULY 4: Fireworks explode over the Charles River July 4, 2003 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston fireworks display was chosen to be taped and broadcast to American's overseas this 4th of July. More than a half-million people came out to take in the show. (Photo by Jessica Rinaldi/Getty Images)
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
WASHINGTON - JANUARY 19: Fireworks explode over the White House January 19, 2004 as part of the 55th presidential inaugural "Celebration of Freedom" event Washington, DC. Bush will be sworn into serve his second term as President of the United States January 20. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 04: Fireworks explode overhead at the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument on Independence Day July 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. Americans celebrated the nation's 242nd year of independence today. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 04: Fireworks light up the sky over the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and the U.S. Capitol on July 4, 2013 in Washington, DC. July 4th is a national holiday with the nation celebrating its 238th birthday. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
WEEHAWKEN, NJ. - JULY 4: The New York City skyline is seen in the distance as fireworks explode over the Hudson River during the Macy's fireworks display July 4, 2009 in Weehawken, New Jersey. It was the first time since 2000 that the Macy's display took place over the Hudson River and not the East River. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
WEEHAWKEN, NJ. - JULY 4: The New York City skyline is seen in the distance as fireworks explode over the Hudson River during the Macy's fireworks display July 4, 2009 in Weehawken, New Jersey. It was the first time since 2000 that the Macy's display took place over the Hudson River and not the East River. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
WEEHAWKEN, NJ. - JULY 4: The New York City skyline is seen in the distance as fireworks explode over the Hudson River during the Macy's fireworks display July 4, 2009 in Weehawken, New Jersey. It was the first time since 2000 that the Macy's display took place over the Hudson River and not the East River. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
WEEHAWKEN, NJ. - JULY 4: The New York City skyline is seen in the distance as fireworks explode over the Hudson River during the Macy's fireworks display July 4, 2009 in Weehawken, New Jersey. It was the first time since 2000 that the Macy's display took place over the Hudson River and not the East River. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 28: Smoke from fireworks floats by the Statue of Liberty in celebration of the anniversary of the dedication of the Statue of Liberty on October 28, 2011 in New York City. The celebrations for the worldwide symbol of freedom and of friendship between France and the United States, included the naturalization of 125 new citizens from 46 nations and the installation of Internet webcams on the statue. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 04: Fireworks light up the sky over the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and the U.S. Capitol on July 4, 2012 in Washington, DC. July 4th is a national holiday with the nation celebrating its 237th birthday. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
BOSTON, MA - JULY 04: Fireworks explode over the Charles River with the city of Cambridge in the background during Boston July 4th celebrations on July 4, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. Security has been tightened around Boston's celebrations this year in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings which occurred on Patriots' Day in April. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
WASHINGTON - JANUARY 19: Fireworks explode over the White House at the conclusion of the Celebration of Freedom event on the eve of the Inauguration of U.S. President George W. Bush January 19, 2005 in Washington, DC. Bush will be sworn into his second term as President of the United States January 20. (Photo by Matt Campbell-Pool/Getty Images)
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
BOSTON, MA - JULY 04: Fireworks explode over the Charles River with the city of Cambridge in the background during Boston July 4th celebrations on July 4, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. Security has been tightened around Boston's celebrations this year in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings which occurred on Patriots' Day in April. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
A Capitol Fourth 2Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston014 Independence Day Concert
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 04: Fireworks display during PBS's 2014 A CAPITOL FOURTH at U.S. Capitol, West Lawn on July 4, 2014 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Capital Concerts)
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 4: The Macy's 4th of July Fireworks explode along the East River from the One World Trade Center Observatory on July 4, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images)
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 4: People look at The 2015 Macy's 4th of July Fireworks from the One World Trade Center Observatory on July 4, 2015 in New York City. The celebrations mark the 239th Independence Day. (Photo by Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images)
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 4: People watch the Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks from Brooklyn Bridge Park on July 4, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The celebrations mark the nation's 240th Independence Day. (Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 4: Fireworks are launched over the National Mall to celebrate the United States' Independence Day July 4, 2017 in Washington, DC. Thousands gather throughout the city to watch the display and enjoy festivities. (Photo by Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images)
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 04: Fireworks are seen from the East River on the South Brooklyn route of a New York City ferry on July 4, 2017 in the Manhattan borough of New York City. This is the 41st annual display of the Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks. (Photo by Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images)
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 04: The Empire State Building is lit on blue, white and red as People watch the Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks from Hunter Point Park on July 4, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images)
Fireworks For the 4th: New York City vs. Washington DC vs Boston
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 04: The U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument are seen as fireworks explode above the nation's capital on Independence Day July 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. Americans celebration the nation's 242ndÊbirthday today. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
