Gov. Mike DeWine has signed a bill allowing bottle rockets, roman candles, and other fireworks to be set off in Ohio on more than 15 days each year, including New Year’s Eve, Juneteenth, Cinco de Mayo, and the days on and around Memorial Day, Labor Day and July 4.
The new law marks a change in Ohio law, which has long said people can buy fireworks but not set them off in the state. DeWine said earlier this month the bill he signed Monday was an improvement over a fireworks bill he vetoed in July, but he wasn’t thrilled about either.
“I think you know that I’m not in favor of expanding the use of fireworks in the state of Ohio by amateurs,” DeWine said.
In a statement announcing he’d signed the bill, DeWine said it's limited to what he called "the more traditional holidays".
The bill also maximizes the size of fireworks stores showrooms at 7,500 square feet and includes sprinkler requirements. The vetoed fireworks bill allowed showrooms of 10,000 square feet and did not have sprinkler requirements. The new law also lets local communities further limit or outright ban the use of fireworks.
