South Carolina Board of Pyrotechnic Safety

No. Stands must remain at the same location for the durations of the sales period. If at any time the stand is moved the permit is voided. Also, in accordance with Regulation 71-7405.5(A), the stand must remain tied down and the wheels must be removed.

Novelty pyrotechnic items, such as sparklers, snakes, and poppers, that meet the safety regulations of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), are not regulated by the South Carolina Board of Pyrotechnic Safety and are not classified as consumer fireworks.

Novelty pyrotechnics contain miniscule amounts of pyrotechnic composition, typically less than 0.25 grams of flash powder per item, and are specifically designed to produce low impact, ground based, or handheld effects.

Common Examples Include:

• Sparklers: Handheld wires or sticks coated with pyrotechnic material that emit showers of bright sparks.
• Snappers (Poppers): Tiny paper twists that make a sharp "pop" when thrown against a hard surface.
• Snakes: Ignite to produce a growing, crawling ash that resembles a snake.
• Party Poppers: Small, spring-loaded or friction-based devices that emit a small bang and release streamers or confetti.
• Smoke Devices: Small items that emit clouds of bright colored or white smoke.
• Ground Spinners: Small devices that twirl and zip across the ground while emitting bright sparks or whistling sounds.

Please be mindful that all pyrotechnic devices, even novelty pyrotechnics that produce low-impact effects, can cause serious injuries and accidental fires if used incorrectly. Anyone using these products should practice safe and responsible handling, operation, and disposal. Additional safety information may be found here.

No. Licensed retailers shall purchase from a licensed wholesaler or jobber as per S.C. Board of Pyrotechnic Safety Regulation 71-7405.1(D)(10)). Here is a list of licensed Wholesaler/Jobbers.

The Board handles the sale and storage of fireworks. Questions about permitting for fireworks display shows should be directed to the Office of State Fire Marshal.

South Carolina State Law states that no person under the age of sixteen (16) shall be sold permissible fireworks.

No. State law prohibits the retail sale of consumer fireworks from a tent, canopy and membrane structures.

No. Fireworks cannot be sold from vehicles such as cars, vans, buses or any other motor driven vehicle.

A 3" x 5" permit sticker is posted on the building.

The fee for a temporary stand (90 day license) is $100. The fee for a permanent stand (annual license) is $200.

No. Those types of fireworks have been prohibited by Federal Law since 1966. Firecrackers sold to the public in the U.S. can only have 50 milligrams or less of pyrotechnic composition per firecracker. A true M-80 contains much more than 50 milligrams, and is therefore illegal.

Complaints can be filed by contacting the Board by email at contact.pyro@llr.sc.gov or phone at (803) 896-4259.

Applications are processed in the order they are received. In order to expedite this process, please make sure the application is complete and includes the appropriate license issued by the S.C. Department of Revenue for the retail sales of fireworks: a current Certificate of Insurance (per S.C. Code of Laws 40-56-230) and payment. Inspections are scheduled based on the "Facility Setup Date" on the application. This date should indicate when the facility will be ready for inspection. Board inspectors will make every effort to contact you to schedule your inspection prior to the indicated "Facility Opening Date." Please allow for five (5) business days between the setup and opening date on the application. If you are not contacted by an inspector by the opening date, please contact the Board office. You cannot open prior to being issued a license by a Board inspector.

No. All temporary fireworks stands must comply with the Board-approved inspection checklist at the time of the initial licensure inspection or a license will not be issued. Any return inspection resulting from the owner's failure to comply will be charged at a rate of $75 per hour (including travel time). The inspection checklist is available in the Fireworks Retailer License application packet.

Yes. The Board, per S.C. Code of Laws 40-56-230, requires that an application for a retail fireworks sales license must be accompanied by evidence that the applicant holds a policy that:

1. provides public liability insurance coverage for retail sales activities at the location for the permitted sale period. The policy can not exclude fireworks or pyrotechnics;
2. is issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in this State; and
3. provides coverage in the following minimum amounts:
• one million dollars for injuries or damage to any one person in one accident or occurrence;
• one million dollars for injuries to two or more persons in any accident or occurrence; and
• one million dollars combined single-limit coverage for any one accident or occurrence
4. Provides the Board with at least thirty (30) days written notice of policy cancellation or suspension.