Below are the general rules on when fireworks can be put on sale and turn off in certain areas of Washington State: The sale and delivery of fireworks is limited to certain times around the July 4 and New Year`s Eve holidays. Local jurisdictions may further restrict the sale and delivery of fireworks on their territory. Always check with your local jurisdiction about the legal use of fireworks in your area. The fireworks themselves are not illegal and in the week around July 4 they are easy to get. But it`s a good idea to know the rules of the road before heading to the local pop-up tent and grabbing something explosive. Don`t forget to check the local city and county rules before turning on the fuse. Cities and counties may charge a fee for the sale of fireworks and shows sufficient to cover all legitimate costs up to the maximum amounts prescribed by RCW 70,77,555. Illegal Fireworks and Explosives Posters Setbacks and Signage Required CFRS Installation Fireworks List of Fireworks Stands Legal and Illegal Requirements Fireworks Requirements Fireworks Activity Guide Fireworks Maintenance Handling With Care Infographic Illegal Fireworks Activities Form Fireworks Restricted Sale and Discharge Periods Complaints about the use of fireworks should be directed to your local law enforcement agency. Consumer Fireworks Are Legal in Washington Illegal Fireworks and Explosives Back Signs and Signage Required CFRS Facility Fireworks Stand Requirements Checklist for Retail Stall Inspection (Expanded) The Fourth of July is a popular American holiday filled with hot dogs, cooking trips, occasional sunburn — and, of course, fireworks. And fortunately for the people of Washington, who have a good (safe!) Important: Any local ordinance restricting the sale or unloading of fireworks or prohibiting their sale and unloading may not enter into force until at least one year after its adoption, in accordance with RCW 70.77.250 (4). However, some administrations have also introduced emergency fireworks bans during periods of high fire risk, as described below. In addition, it can be argued that rcW 70.77.250 (4) does not affect the ability of local governments to impose emergency restrictions or prohibitions in response to extreme heat, drought or other circumstances that would make the firing of fireworks unreasonably dangerous.
SEATTLE — Since most traditional fireworks don`t take place on New Year`s Eve this year, Washington fire officials share some memories of personal use during the winter months. RELATED: Some July 4 fireworks will be replaced with drones due to fire issues The state`s Fire Marshal`s Office encourages residents to check with their local authorities to review the rules before buying or using fireworks and follow proper safety procedures. A complete list of laws on the sale and use of fireworks can be found on WSP`s website. In addition to obtaining a state license, RCW 70.77.260 (1) directs any person who wishes to manufacture, import, sell or transport fireworks to also obtain a local permit issued by a city or county before performing these activities. As you can see, fireworks are also allowed to be sold, bought and unloaded around New Year`s Eve, although none are scheduled for January 1. To report that fireworks are being unloaded in a prohibited area, call the non-emergency Snohomish County number at 425-407-3999. RCW 70.77.395 sets the dates and times allowed for the sale or delivery of fireworks, as shown in the table below. However, this does not apply to tribal lands. As described in RCW 70.77.395, the sale, purchase and firing of fireworks is prohibited for much of the year – with the exception of a small time window around the 4th century.
July and New Year. It is also important to remember that selling fireworks without a license is very illegal. If you go to the reservation to pick up enough for you and your entire block, and you intend to sell them to your neighbors, think again. This is especially true if you`re buying fireworks on one of Washington`s many reservations. Fireworks laws vary across reserves, and some fireworks may not be allowed on non-reserved land. This leaflet [PDF] can be useful in determining which fireworks are illegal and which are allowed. This page provides an overview of the powers of Washington State local governments to regulate fireworks, including relevant state laws, permits and licenses, the dates and times when fireworks may be sold or unloaded, the emergency ban on fireworks, and examples of local ordinances and advisory votes. The relevant laws and rules allow the FSVO to refuse fireworks licences, take administrative measures and impose civil penalties for violations of fireworks laws and regulations.
RCW 70.77.401 prohibits the sale or offer to sell the following types of fireworks: If you are caught, your sentence (as is the case in most criminal justice cases) will depend on the crime. Violating one of Washington`s fireworks laws will result in a crime — whether it`s firing bottle rockets, illegally selling fireworks, or shooting at 3 a.m. However, you can be beaten with a number of other violations (like being too loud late at night), which can result in stacked fees. It is unclear whether local governments have the authority to impose an immediate ban on fireworks at times of high fire risk. Some jurisdictions have used non-binding deliberation votes to obtain citizen input on whether or not to ban fireworks for consumers. Current examples can be found in our local database of voting measures. (Click Search by keyword and type Fireworks.) Typically, local AHJs are trained in fireworks stall inspection and public demonstrations. However, these training opportunities are currently being postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Public Fireworks Report Inspection Checklist for Public Exhibition Sites Information on obtaining an exemption for fireworks is available upon request by sending an email to fireworks@wsp.wa.gov. The most common injuries or causes are: being hit by fireworks, holding or throwing them, turning them on or on again, and bending over fireworks. State law regulates the regulation of fireworks, including legal fireworks, licensing public fireworks and fireworks vendors, and when fireworks may be unloaded. All local fireworks ordinances, which are more restrictive than state law, are not allowed to go into effect until at least one year after they are passed. In unincorporated areas of King and Pierce counties, where certain fireworks are allowed on July 4, winter sales and use are prohibited. Some cities follow state laws, while others have specific times. The Washington State Fire Marshal`s Office has two documents that can help identify legal and illegal fireworks: Here are some places where personal fireworks are allowed with restrictions: Here are selected examples of cities or counties that have issued more restrictive ordinances than the state`s fireworks laws, including those that completely ban fireworks. For this reason, it is very important to check with your local government before firing fireworks. This is especially important if you bought your sparks on a trip to the state – just because fireworks are legal in Spokane doesn`t mean they`re legal in Seattle. You can inquire with washington state and see the legality in your area with this chart. For public sector bodies that would like press release templates for local campaigns or retail stall inspection forms, email fireworks@wsp.wa.gov and we will provide instructions on how to access these documents. There is no clear law on this issue, so local governments must assess the potential legal risks of adopting an emergency measure that restricts or prohibits the firing of fireworks.
