To get the exact, official laws about fireworks in Arizona, you need to look at both state statutes and your local city or town ordinances.
Because Arizona law grants local municipalities the power to restrict fireworks based on fire risk and local populations, the rules in Phoenix, Mesa or Gilbert will look slightly different from one another.
The Official State Law (Arizona Revised Statutes)
At the state level, fireworks are regulated under the Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.). You can read the raw text of the law directly on the Arizona State Legislature website (azleg.gov).
• A.R.S. § 36-1606: This is the primary statute governing consumer fireworks. It lays out the exact dates they can be legally sold and used statewide, rules for local preemption, and time-of-day restrictions.
• A.R.S. Title 36, Chapter 13, Article 1: This whole section covers "Fireworks" generally, including definitions of what is "permissible" (like fountains, sparklers and ground spinners) versus what is "prohibited" (anything that goes into the air or explodes like bottle rockets and firecrackers).
Your Local Fire Department or City Website
While state law sets the baseline, it specifically allows cities and counties to set further restrictions. Your absolute best resource for everyday clarity is your local fire department’s fire prevention bureau.
You should visit the official .gov website for your specific municipality (e.g., phoenix.gov, mesaaz.gov, gilbertaz.gov) and search for "fireworks."
Your local site will tell you:
• Local Prohibitions: Many AZ cities strictly prohibit using any fireworks on public property, including city parks, sidewalks, streets and desert preservation lands.
• Active Fire Restrictions: If the state or federal government implements a Stage 1 or higher fire restriction due to drought and heat, local fire chiefs have the power to completely ban the use of fireworks during dates that would normally be allowed.
• Fines: Civil penalties for violating local firework ordinances in Arizona are steep, often carrying a mandatory $1,000 fine depending on the city.
Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management
If you live in an unincorporated area or want to check on statewide fire bans and rules for state trust lands, you can visit the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (dffm.az.gov) or the Office of the State Fire Marshal. They publish seasonal updates and maps detailing active fire restrictions across the state.
Here are some resources to review before the Fourth of July holiday to ensure you’re handling fireworks safely.
National Safety Council
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Dept of Homeland Security
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