No Fireworks Allowed Inside Toccoa City Limits, Despite New Law

And just in time for the July 4th holiday this week, a new law that went into effect Sunday gives local officials the authority to pass ordinances that ban the use of fireworks except on certain holidays.

The State law allows fireworks statewide on New Year’s Day 1, the Saturday and Sunday before Memorial Day, July 3, July 4, Labor Day and New Year’s Eve.

However it also requires local municipalities to enact “general” noise ordinances that don’t target fireworks use.

The City of Toccoa already has a noise law under its nuisance ordinance, according to City Manager Billy Morse.

But Morse said that as for shooting off fireworks inside city limits, there is a law for that too.

“It’s actually what’s called, the “Offenses Ordinance,” he said. “And it says, ‘It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge firearms or guns or to explode firecrackers or fireworks anywhere in the City.'”

Morse said anyone shooting off fireworks in a neighborhood inside the city limits is subject to a citation, even on the 4th of July.

He said the City has no plans to toughen or change the law regarding fireworks.

Additionally, the new law requires fireworks retailers to post a sign at their booth or in their store that tells customers to check with their local ordinances before purchasing fireworks.