It's Fireworks Season: Know the Local Laws in Northern Virginia?

PHOTOS: A fireworks stand in Fairfax County Monday was open and ready for business.

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The Fourth of July is just around the corner and fireworks stands are beginning to pop up around Northern Virginia. You can purchase fireworks in Fairfax County and in Arlington County, but not in the City of Alexandria.

Depending on where you live and where you will be celebrating the July 4th holiday, there are different rules on what you can buy and what you can use. In some local jurisdictions, the sale and use of fireworks — even sparklers — is prohibited.

Anyone who purchases fireworks from the stand must be 18 or older, said Matt McManis of the Falls Church area, who was manning the stand.

Penalties range from hefty fines to jail time, so when you are planning your July 4th backyard barbeque, be careful where you buy fireworks and make sure you can use them.

Here’s what you need to know, based on information from each jurisdiction’s website (click on each jurisdiction to find more detailed information):

Arlington County

It is legal to sell certain types of fireworks, such a sparklers, in Arlington. However, Arlington County law prohibits the use or sale of “fireworks that are projectiles, explode, emit flames or sparks to a distance greater than twelve (12) feet.”

Arlington has compiled an extensive list of permissible items ranging from the “Flashing Wheel” to “Pyro Combustion”. See the full list of permissible items here.

City of Alexandria

It is illegal for anyone to store, offer or expose for sale, sell at retail or explode any fireworks—including sparklers—within Alexandria’s city limits. Violations of the fireworks law are punishable by fines up to $2,500 and up to a year in prison

District of Columbia

As a rule of thumb, fireworks or firecrackers that explode are illegal to use or sell in the District.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and Fire/EMS can seize illegal products and anyone found in possession of illegal fireworks could face fines and penalties of up to $2,000 and/or arrest for further prosecution.

According to DC MPD, illegal fireworks are those that have any of the following characteristics:

• Any fireworks that move.

• Any fireworks that explode.

• Any fireworks that emit a spark or flame greater than 12 feet.

• Any fireworks that have a side mounted fuse or a fuse inserted at any point along the length of the product’s surface.

• Any fireworks that contain mercury, arsenic, magnesium, phosphorus, or any other highly oxidizing agent.

• Any fireworks that the Fire Marshal considers to be dangerous to the safety of any person or property.

Examples of such items include, but are not limited to:

• Firecrackers

• Cherry Bombs

• Roman

• Salutes

• Floral Shells

• Artillery Shells

• Helicopters

• Sparklers greater than 20 inches long

• Bottle Rockets

• Parachutes

• Buzz Bombs

• Pinwheels

• Jumping Jacks

• Anything that is similar to these products.

City of Falls Church

The use of all fireworks is banned in Falls Church. Additionally, the sale of fireworks, explosives or any explosive materials is prohibited within the City of Falls Church.

Fairfax County

The use and sale of certain fireworks is permitted in Fairfax County, but the County Fire Marshal closely regulates what can be sold or used and who can sell them.

The sale of approved fireworks is permitted only by those vendors who have an approved Fire Prevention Code Permit from the County Fire Marshal.

Permissible fireworks, and the use of such fireworks, must meet the following stipulations:

· Shall be approved by the Fairfax County Fire Marshal

· Shall not explode.

· Shall not move or perform as a projectile.

· Shall not emit flame or sparks to a distance greater than 5 meters (16.4 feet).

· Shall not be thrown or placed on any surface or article where it can cause an unwanted fire.

· Shall not be used on private property without the approval of the property owner.

· Shall not be sold or stored on the property of another without the express written permission of the property owner.

· Shall not be sold to persons under the age of 18 unless the person is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

· Shall not be used or ignited inside, under, or within 50 feet from any structure.

· Shall not be used or ignited within 100 feet of tents or membrane structures.

· Shall not be used or ignited within 300 feet of all fireworks retail sales locations including fireworks stands.

· Smoking shall be prohibited inside or within 50 feet of fireworks retail sales areas including fireworks stands.

· Smoking shall be prohibited within 25 feet of all permissible (consumer) fireworks located outside.

· Use of permissible fireworks for any purpose other than the approved and intended use shall be prohibited.

· Fireworks shall be used in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions/directions.

Fairfax has compiled an extensive list of permissible items ranging from the “Flash Ray Gun” to “Missile War.” See the full list of permissible items here.