Nebraska State Fire Marshal - Programs and Services - Fireworks

Public Fireworks Displays

Public fireworks displays may be held anytime throughout the year. A Public Fireworks Display Permit application must be obtained from this office at least 10 working days prior to the date of the display. If only Class C fireworks will be shot, a permit is not necessary. A licensed Public Display Operator must be present at the display and supervise those discharging the display (Class B) fireworks. The local fire chief or his/her representative must also review and sign the permit. A $10 non-refundable fee is assessed for each display. A permit must be obtained for each date of a display (except rain date) and fee paid per date.

The permit application may be downloaded, completed online or requested from Jodi at (402) 471-2027. Please do not request more permits than are needed for a year. The online application may only be used if payment is made by credit card (Master Card or Visa). Otherwise the permit must be mailed in (only one copy is necessary) with a check or money order for the correct amount. If sending in more than one permit, please send one check or money order to cover all the permits if possible. This will decrease processing time. Notification of permit approval will be given to the person/organization listed as the sponsor on the application and a copy will be mailed to the listed distributor(s).

The storage of display fireworks shall be in a storage bunker that meets the requirements of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). In some instances, a permit will need to be obtained from ATF. For more information contact ATF at (402) 952-2635 or visit their website.

State Fire Marshal personnel will periodically conduct unannounced inspections of display sites to insure regulations are being followed and the information provided on the permit application is accurate.

If it is necessary to make changes to an approved application, the change form should be completed. Only the information that is to be changed and the confirmation number (online application) should be completed. If the change involves location, distances and/or date the permission of the local fire chief or his/her representative must be obtained again. The Public Display Operator must sign all change forms regardless of the change.

Applicants are subject to all provisions of State Statutes and regulations governing fireworks. It is the applicant’s responsibility to read and comply with these requirements. These requirements are subject to change without notice.

Online Application
When using the online application, payment must be made with a credit card (Master Card or Visa). Charges will appear against your credit card as soon as you submit your application. The screens are self-explanatory. Please read all instructions on each screen carefully. Entering an email address for the sponsoring organization is optional. However, you will not receive email confirmation of your application’s approval or denial. After you have completed the application, you will have the opportunity to edit all information.

IMPORTANT: Do NOT use your browser's Back button to go back and correct something or to do another application. If you do so your application will not be submitted successfully.

The Public Display Operator information must match exactly what appears in our database. To make it easier to enter, please use the search feature. You will not be able to proceed with the application until you have entered a valid Display Operator name and license number. If the Operator’s license has expired you will not be allowed to proceed. Please be sure that the person who will be the Public Display Operator is in the database and has a valid license prior to applying for your Display Permit Application.

Multiple distributors/jobbers may be selected. Please refer to the instructions in the application as to the correct way to make your selection(s).

Distances must be entered in feet. You will not be able to proceed until a distance of N/A is entered in each field. Please refer to the regulations for the correct distances.

Before submitting the online Public Display Permit Application to the State Fire Marshal's Office the Operator/Applicant shall contact the local fire chief or his/her representatives and receive verbal permission for the display to take place. When this verbal permission is received the Operator/Applicant shall submit the completed electronic Public Display Application to the State Fire Marshal's Office. If approval is granted by the State Fire Marshal’s Office the Operator/Applicant will receive the approved Public Display Permit by mail. Operator/Applicant shall have the local fire chief or his/her representatives sign the Approved Public Display Permit. The Operator/Applicant shall keep the signed Approved Public Display Permit on his/her person at the display and present it if a State Fire Marshal requests proof of an Approved Public Display Permit. Under Nebraska law, anyone who knowingly provides false information on this application may be found guilty of a Class I misdemeanor.

Once you have submitted your application(s), a screen will appear with a permit number(s) and a password. Please print this page as this your confirmation of the transaction.If you do not receive this screen or it appears to be incomplete then your transaction did not go through successfully. Please do not close your browser until you have received the confirmation screen and printed the information. Doing so will result in your credit card information coming through without any data. If you need to make a change, you will need to download the Change Form from the website or contact Jodi for a form.

If your application is accepted, an email will be sent to you advising this. Your permit will be mailed to you within 10 business days. If your application is declined an email will be sent informing you of the reason, provided an email address was provided. Otherwise you will be notified by phone or in writing.

PLEASE NOTE: Neither the confirmation page or approval email may be used to obtain fireworks. Fireworks may be obtained only with the signed Display Permit from this office. You may not legally purchase or have fireworks in your possession until you receive the signed Display Permit.

Again, please go slowly through the screens and read all instructions. Most importantly – do not forget to print off your application and obtain the required signatures. Also do not forget to print the confirmation page.

Page last updated November 1, 2007



MENU	Public Fireworks Displays Public fireworks displays may be held anytime throughout the year. A Public Fireworks Display Permit application must be obtained from this office at least 10 working days prior to the date of the display. If only Class C fireworks will be shot, a permit is not necessary. A licensed Public Display Operator must be present at the display and supervise those discharging the display (Class B) fireworks. The local fire chief or his/her representative must also review and sign the permit. A $10 non-refundable fee is assessed for each display. A permit must be obtained for each date of a display (except rain date) and fee paid per date. The permit application may be downloaded, completed online or requested from Jodi at (402) 471-2027. Please do not request more permits than are needed for a year. The online application may only be used if payment is made by credit card (Master Card or Visa). Otherwise the permit must be mailed in (only one copy is necessary) with a check or money order for the correct amount. If sending in more than one permit, please send one check or money order to cover all the permits if possible. This will decrease processing time. Notification of permit approval will be given to the person/organization listed as the sponsor on the application and a copy will be mailed to the listed distributor(s). The storage of display fireworks shall be in a storage bunker that meets the requirements of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). In some instances, a permit will need to be obtained from ATF. For more information contact ATF at (402) 952-2635 or visit their website. State Fire Marshal personnel will periodically conduct unannounced inspections of display sites to insure regulations are being followed and the information provided on the permit application is accurate. If it is necessary to make changes to an approved application, the change form should be completed. Only the information that is to be changed and the confirmation number (online application) should be completed. If the change involves location, distances and/or date the permission of the local fire chief or his/her representative must be obtained again. The Public Display Operator must sign all change forms regardless of the change. Applicants are subject to all provisions of State Statutes and regulations governing fireworks. It is the applicant’s responsibility to read and comply with these requirements. These requirements are subject to change without notice. Online Application When using the online application, payment must be made with a credit card (Master Card or Visa). Charges will appear against your credit card as soon as you submit your application. The screens are self-explanatory. Please read all instructions on each screen carefully. Entering an email address for the sponsoring organization is optional. However, you will not receive email confirmation of your application’s approval or denial. After you have completed the application, you will have the opportunity to edit all information. IMPORTANT: Do NOT use your browser's Back button to go back and correct something or to do another application. If you do so your application will not be submitted successfully. The Public Display Operator information must match exactly what appears in our database. To make it easier to enter, please use the search feature. You will not be able to proceed with the application until you have entered a valid Display Operator name and license number. If the Operator’s license has expired you will not be allowed to proceed. Please be sure that the person who will be the Public Display Operator is in the database and has a valid license prior to applying for your Display Permit Application. Multiple distributors/jobbers may be selected. Please refer to the instructions in the application as to the correct way to make your selection(s). Distances must be entered in feet. You will not be able to proceed until a distance of N/A is entered in each field. Please refer to the regulations for the correct distances. Before submitting the online Public Display Permit Application to the State Fire Marshal's Office the Operator/Applicant shall contact the local fire chief or his/her representatives and receive verbal permission for the display to take place. When this verbal permission is received the Operator/Applicant shall submit the completed electronic Public Display Application to the State Fire Marshal's Office. If approval is granted by the State Fire Marshal’s Office the Operator/Applicant will receive the approved Public Display Permit by mail. Operator/Applicant shall have the local fire chief or his/her representatives sign the Approved Public Display Permit. The Operator/Applicant shall keep the signed Approved Public Display Permit on his/her person at the display and present it if a State Fire Marshal requests proof of an Approved Public Display Permit. Under Nebraska law, anyone who knowingly provides false information on this application may be found guilty of a Class I misdemeanor. Once you have submitted your application(s), a screen will appear with a permit number(s) and a password. Please print this page as this your confirmation of the transaction.If you do not receive this screen or it appears to be incomplete then your transaction did not go through successfully. Please do not close your browser until you have received the confirmation screen and printed the information. Doing so will result in your credit card information coming through without any data. If you need to make a change, you will need to download the Change Form from the website or contact Jodi for a form. If your application is accepted, an email will be sent to you advising this. Your permit will be mailed to you within 10 business days. If your application is declined an email will be sent informing you of the reason, provided an email address was provided. Otherwise you will be notified by phone or in writing. PLEASE NOTE: Neither the confirmation page or approval email may be used to obtain fireworks. Fireworks may be obtained only with the signed Display Permit from this office. You may not legally purchase or have fireworks in your possession until you receive the signed Display Permit. Again, please go slowly through the screens and read all instructions. Most importantly – do not forget to print off your application and obtain the required signatures. Also do not forget to print the confirmation page. Page last updated November 1, 2007
246 South 14th Street; Lincoln, NE 68508-1804; Phone: (402) 471-2027; Fax: (402) 471-3118