Indiana Code 22-11-14-6 allows you to discharge fireworks on your property until 11 PM. On a legal holiday (which by statute includes every Sunday) you may discharge fireworks up until midnight.
You may only discharge fireworks on your own property, on property that you have permission to use, or at a special discharge location authorized by the fire department having jurisdiction. If you are under 18 years of age, you must have an adult present in order to possess or use fireworks.
Discharging or possessing fireworks in violation of IC 22-11-14-6 is punishable a Class C Infraction. Damaging another person person’s property with fireworks is punishable as a Class A Misdemeanor. Causing serious injury to another person with fireworks is punishable as a Class D Felony. Under IC 35-45-3-2 a person who places or leaves a spent firework on the property of another person commits Littering as a Class B Infraction.
Vanderburgh County Code 12.24.010(u) prohibits the possession or discharge of fireworks within a county maintained park. The City of Evansville further restricts the use of fireworks within the corporate limits. The Evansville Municipal Code regulating fireworks may be foundhere.
Sheriff Wedding stated, “Even though the law permits the discharge of fireworks on any day of the year, intentionally causing annoyance to your neighbors during the work week could result in a citation for disorderly conduct.” Sheriff Wedding added, “Our office wants everyone to have a good time and be able to celebrate this summer. We just ask that people be courteous to their neighbors and exercise a little common sense.”
The Sheriff’s Office received sixty-four (64) separate complaints related to fireworks last summer. This figure was down slightly from the seventy-one (71) complaints we received during the summer of 2013.
Residents should call 911 to report the unsafe or illegal use of fireworks, but are asked to refrain from calling 911 to report fireworks use that is in compliance with the law.
Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!
