Gwinnett Fireworks Laws | A Guide for July 4th 2022

Where Can You Legally Use Fireworks in Various Gwinnett County Cities on July 4th

With Independence Day and the long holiday weekend quickly approaching here in Gwinnett County, many are confused regarding which Gwinnett County cities allow citizens to set off fireworks and when it is legal to do so.  In this article, we will survey the various ordinances of each major city here in Gwinnett County. 

Don’t Forget Gwinnett County’s New Noise Ordinance

Before we look at each city’s specific ordinance on use and possession of fireworks, it is important to remind Gwinnett County residents of Gwinnett’s 2021 passage of a new noise ordinance.  This new ordinance uses distance, location and time of day to determine whether residents are in violation of the plainly audible guideline.  

The good news is there is an exemption for the July 4th holiday. The noise ordinance does not apply to fireworks that are set off between 10 a.m and 11:59 p.m. on July 3rd and 4th.  

However, it means we need to know what the rules are in case you are thinking of shooting off fireworks on any other day during the long holiday weekend. The first thing we need to understand is what the “plainly audible” standard means.  The new ordinance states, “Plainly audible shall mean any sound produced by a source, which can be heard by any person of ordinary sensibilities using his or her unaided hearing facilities. Measurement standards shall be the auditory senses.”

Next we need to know what distances, locations and times of day apply to the ordinance:

• Nonresidential Areas:   500 feet from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and from 7 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 200 feet from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and 11:59 p.m. until 7 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

 

• Mixed-Use Areas:  300 feet from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and 7 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 150 feet from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and 11:59 p.m. until 7 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

 

• Multi-Family Residential Areas:  25 feet from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 10 feet from 10 p.m. until 8 a.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and 11 p.m. until 8 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

 

• Single-Family Residential Areas: 300 feet from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 50 feet from 10 p.m. until 8 a.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and 11 p.m. until 8 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

 

• Privately Owned Outdoor Property: 300 feet from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and 7 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 100 feet from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and 11:59 p.m. until 7 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

 

City Ordinances Across Gwinnett County

Now let’s look at the specific city ordinances across Gwinnett County.  Before we do, remember that on July 3rd and 4th, Georgia State law prohibits cities from restricting firework use any further than Georgia law already does.  This leaves citizens free to use and possess fireworks from 10 am to 11:59 pm on both days.

• Lawrenceville
• Suwanee
• Duluth
• Dacula
• Snellville
• Loganville
• Grayson
• Norcross
• Peachtree Corners
• Sugar Hill

 

LAWRENCEVILLE

Lawrenceville has two ordinances on the books regarding use and possession of fireworks.  The first makes it illegal to possess or use fireworks without a written permit.  This means if you are shooting off fireworks other than on July 3rd or 4th you better have a permit. 

The second ordinance tracks Gwinnett County’s recently passed noise ordinance.  You cannot shoot off noise making fireworks other than on July 3rd or 4th.  

Lawrenceville’s fireworks ordinances:

Sec. 28-44. – Pyrotechnics restricted.

It shall be unlawful for any person to possess, display, use, set off or attempt to ignite any firecracker, fireworks, smoke bombs, rockets, black powder guns or other pyrotechnics, unless approved by written permit by the director or the director’s agent.

Sec. 20-48. – Generally.

3)

Restrictions regarding noise produced by consumer fireworks. The use or ignition of consumer fireworks as defined in O.C.G.A. § 25-10-1 that willfully make, continue, or cause to be made or continued any excessive or unusually loud noise, except during the following dates and times:

a.

On January 1, the last Saturday and Sunday in May, July 3, July 4, the first Monday in September and December 31 beginning at the time of 10:00 a.m. and up to and including the ending time of 11:59 p.m

 

 

SUWANEE 

The City of Suwanee prohibits the possession, use, set off or ignition of fireworks within the City limits unless you have a permit.  Of course, the code does not mention which staff member(s) can issue the permit.  Contact the City of Suwanee to inquire as to who must issue the permit if you are wanting to set off fireworks other than on July 3rd or 4th

Suwanee’s code section

Sec. 42-48. – Pyrotechnics.

It shall be unlawful for any person to possess, display, use, set off or attempt to ignite any firecracker, fireworks, smoke bombs, rockets, black powder guns or other pyrotechnics, unless approved by written permit by authorized staff.

 

DULUTH

The City of Duluth’s fireworks ordinance is almost identical to Suwanee’s.  Again, further work will need to be done to figure out which department in Duluth can lawfully issue the fireworks permit. 

The full wording of Duluth’s ordinance

Sec. 46-48. – Pyrotechnics restricted.

It shall be unlawful for any person to possess, display, use, set off or attempt to ignite any firecracker, fireworks, smoke bombs, rockets, black powder guns or other pyrotechnics, except by lawful written permit.

 

DACULA

The city of Dacula’s fireworks ordinance is interesting.  It does not prohibit the use of fireworks anywhere in Dacula other than in its recreational areas owned by the City.  Therefore, you only have to follow Georgia State law regarding use and possession of fireworks. 

The full language of Dacula’s fireworks ordinance

Sec. 18-76. – Pyrotechnics restricted.

It shall be unlawful for any person to possess, display, use, set off or attempt to ignite any firecracker, fireworks, smoke bombs, rockets, black powder guns and/or other pyrotechnics in any recreational facility.

 

SNELLVILLE

Snellville’s fireworks ordinance is very clear.  It follows Georgia State law at all times.  Therefore, shooting off fireworks other than July 3rd and 4th is not prohibited during the hours specified by Georgia law in Snellville. 

Snellville’s full fireworks ordinance language

Sec. 26-206. – Consumer fireworks.

Unless otherwise prohibited by state law, it shall be lawful for any person, firm, corporation, association, or partnership to use or ignite or cause to be ignited any consumer fireworks during the times specified in O.C.G.A. § 25-10-2 

 

LOGANVILLE

Loganville has not city ordinance against the use or possession of fireworks and therefore, much like Snellville’s specific ordinance, in Loganville you must follow only Georgia’s State law.  

 

GRAYSON

Grayson also has no city ordinance against the use or possession of fireworks and therefore, in Grayson only Georgia’s State law must be followed. 

 

NORCROSS

Norcross has two ordinances on use and possession of fireworks.  The first, like many other cities in Gwinnett County, requires a permit for days other than July 3rd or 4th.  It at least designates the exact Norcross department that will issue you the permit. 

Norcross ordinance

The second ordinance has to do with noise restrictions.  This ordinance bans use of fireworks that make noise other than on July 3rd and 4th.  So in Norcross do not shoot off fireworks on any other days. 

Sec. 30-19. – Pyrotechnics restricted.

It shall be unlawful for any person to possess, display, use, set off or attempt to ignite any firecracker, fireworks, smoke bombs, rockets, black powder guns or other pyrotechnics unless approved by written permit by the Public Works, Utilities and Parks Director, PRCA Superintendent or his/her designee.

Sec. 26-20. – Prohibited conduct

(d)

Restrictions regarding noise produced by consumer fireworks. The use or ignition of consumer fireworks as defined in O.C.G.A. § 25-10-1 that willfully make, continue, or cause to be made or continued any excessive, or unusually loud noise, except during the following dates and times:

(1)

On January 1, the last Saturday and Sunday in May, July 3, July 4, the first Monday in September and December 31 beginning at the time of 10:00 a.m. and up to and including the ending time of 11:59 p.m.; and

 

PEACHTREE CORNERS

Peachtree Corners ordinance is very interesting.  It appears to prohibit the use of fireworks of any kind other than by “pyrotechnics licensed” individuals qualified in the state and only after obtaining a permit from the City of Peachtre Corners.   This means no one should attempt to set off fireworks in Peachtree Corners other than on July 3rd and 4th.  

Peachtree Corners’ fireworks ordinance

Sec. 14-77. – Other permits.

(b) (2)

A permit allowing fireworks shall be approved and permitted by the chief of the county’s fire department or his designee. Further, the person to be performing the firework display shall be pyrotechnics licensed and qualified in the state.

 

SUGAR HILL

Sugar Hill has no ordinance against the use or possession of fireworks.  Therefore, residents of Sugar Hill just need to follow Georgia’s state law.