Fireworks are legal in parts of Cottonwood Heights and Holladay starting Wednesday, July 22, but where you light them matters as much as when.

Under Utah State Code, Class C common fireworks can be discharged between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. from Wednesday, July 22 through Saturday, July 25. On Pioneer Day itself, Friday, July 24, the window extends to midnight. Violations carry fines up to $1,000, according to Salt Lake County Emergency Management.

Check the map first

Both Cottonwood Heights and Holladay direct residents to the Unified Fire Authority's interactive Salt Lake County fireworks restrictions map rather than publishing standalone city maps. Residents can enter their home address to see whether they're in a permitted or restricted zone.

The map is available at ufa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/nearby. Salt Lake County Emergency Management notes that fireworks restrictions are set by each municipality.

Public lands are off-limits

Regardless of what a city allows within its limits, fireworks are banned on all public lands and private unincorporated lands across Utah. Statewide Stage 2 fire restrictions remain in effect on state, BLM, and private unincorporated lands due to continued high wildfire risk, according to state fire officials. U.S. Forest Service lands statewide are under either Stage 1 or Stage 2 restrictions. Both levels prohibit fireworks.

For Cottonwood Heights and Holladay residents who live near foothills or open space, that distinction is critical. A backyard inside city limits may be legal; the hillside 50 yards away is not.

The governor's hybrid order

Gov. Spencer Cox issued an executive order this summer taking what he called a "hybrid" approach to Pioneer Day fireworks. The order returns authority to municipalities to set their own restrictions while giving the state forester power to impose additional bans in high-risk areas. The result: rules vary block by block, making the interactive map the only reliable guide.

Safety rules from Unified Fire Authority

The UFA's Fire Prevention Division issued safety guidelines for anyone planning to light fireworks at home:

  • Keep spectators at least 30 feet from the shooting area.
  • Place aerial fireworks on a hard, level surface at least 30 feet from any structure.
  • No one under 16 may handle or ignite aerial fireworks.
  • Never re-light a dud. Wait at least five minutes, then soak it in water.
  • Keep a bucket of water, garden hose, or fire extinguisher within reach.
  • Avoid dry grass and brush.
  • Do not consume alcohol while lighting fireworks.

Under Utah law, parents are liable if their children discharge fireworks in a restricted area or outside legal hours.

What's next

The Salt Lake County interactive map may be updated as cities finalize their 2026 policies before Pioneer Day. Residents should check the map again before lighting anything on Wednesday, July 22. To report illegal fireworks or a fire, call Unified Fire Authority at (385) 468-9080 or dial 911.