Murfreesboro police are gearing up for a busy Fourth of July weekend and putting residents on notice about the city’s strict fireworks rules. Inside city limits, fireworks can only be legally set off from Friday through Sunday (July 3–5) between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m., and officers say those hours will be enforced, not treated as a suggestion. The reminder lands as officials push safety guidance and urge families to hit permitted public shows instead of turning their driveways into amateur launch pads.
In a city news release, MPD Chief Michael Bowen said, “The use of fireworks during this holiday is a tradition many people enjoy, but safety must always come first,” calling on residents to celebrate responsibly. According to the City of Murfreesboro, officers will be out patrolling to enforce both local ordinances and state law over the holiday. The city also points out that rules inside Murfreesboro’s corporate limits are more restrictive than those outside the city line.
What’s Banned Inside The City
Not every flashy gadget on the fireworks stand is fair game in Murfreesboro. The city’s rules make several types of devices illegal inside city limits, including mortar-style fireworks with any tube wider than 1½ inches in diameter, reloadable mortar systems, and bottle rockets. As laid out in the Murfreesboro Code of Ordinances, those items cannot be sold, possessed, or used except as part of a properly permitted public display.
Where You Can And Can't Light Them
Even if your fireworks are legal, you cannot launch them just anywhere. City rules bar people from discharging fireworks on public property, including streets, and on private property without the owner’s permission. The rules also prohibit using fireworks within 600 feet of a church, hospital, or public school, within 22 feet of a fireworks vendor, from or at a motor vehicle, or at groups of people, according to WSMV.
Who Can Buy Them
On the sales side, the city has drawn some hard lines. Fireworks sellers may not legally sell to anyone younger than 16, to intoxicated buyers, or to anyone considered “irresponsible.” Purchasers close to 16 must show a state-issued photo ID or be accompanied by an adult, according to the Murfreesboro Police Department news release.
Fire Department Safety Tips
The Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department is also weighing in, pushing what it calls the “soak and separate” rule for cleanup. Residents are urged to let spent fireworks cool for at least 15–20 minutes, then soak duds and used items in water before throwing them away. The department notes this helps prevent dumpster or structure fires.
“We’ve responded to fires caused by improperly discarded fireworks,” Fire Marshal Brian Lowe said. The department also warns that sparklers can burn at temperatures high enough to cause serious burns, according to the Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department.
Enforcement And Penalties
MPD officers say they will be enforcing city ordinances and state laws over the holiday period, and anyone caught ignoring the rules could face law enforcement action or fines. The city’s code links seasonal sales and permitted use windows to specific permit requirements and makes unlawful possession or sale of prohibited fireworks a citable offense. Residents can check the Murfreesboro Code of Ordinances for full permit and penalty details.
Before you light the fuse on anything, city officials suggest running through a quick checklist using the city’s news release or local coverage. They continue to stress that permitted public displays are still the safest way to take in the holiday show. For a TV rundown of the rules, see WSMV.
