Halloween fireworks are an annual tradition for many families, and a fun part of the year’s creepiest holiday.
However, the bright and often noisy displays come with significant risks including injury and the risk of fires — and rules on their use vary around the region.
Coverage of Halloween fireworks on Globalnews.ca/bc:
With Halloween just a week away, it’s worth reviewing what the rules are, and where and when family fireworks are legal in Metro Vancouver.
Many municipalities have an outright ban on the use of family fireworks, while others restrict the sale but allow their use under specific conditions.
Nearly everywhere requires you to have a permit.
Click the map below to see whether you can buy or use fireworks in your municipality, and more details about bylaws:
Vancouver
Family fireworks are legal to use on Oct. 31.
- The sale of fireworks is permitted from Oct. 25-31
- Users must be 19+ and have a permit
- Must be set off on private property with the owner’s written permission
- Firecrackers, bottle rockets, and roman candles are banned
- Fireworks must be purchased from a licensed retailer
- Permits are free
See the full regulations here.
Port Moody
Family fireworks are legal to use on Oct. 31 from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m.
- The sale of fireworks is permitted from October 24-30
- Users must be 18+
- Fireworks must be set off on private property with the owner’s permission unless part of a controlled display, with special permission obtained from the fire chief
- Fines for violations can reach $10,000
See the full regulations here.
West Vancouver
Family fireworks are legal to use on Oct. 31.
- The sale of fireworks is permitted from Oct. 25-31
- Users must be 18+ and have a permit
- Fireworks must be set off on private property with the owner’s permission
- Roman Candles, rockets, or noisemakers must make up 30 per cent or less of fireworks family packs
- Fireworks permits are $5
- Fines begin at $500 per offence and can reach $2,000 for misuse of fireworks. Maximum penalties reach $10,000 and six months in jail
See the full regulations here.
District of North Vancouver
Family fireworks are legal to use on Oct. 31 from 6 p.m. until midnight.
- The sale of fireworks is permitted from Oct. 25 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 31
- Users must be 19+ and have a permit
- Fireworks must be set off on private property with the owner’s permission
- Reminder: Fireworks are banned in the City of North Vancouver
- Fireworks permits are $2
- Fines for violating regulations begin at $200 and can climb to a maximum of $10,000
See the full bylaw here and find permit information here.
Burnaby
Family fireworks are legal to use on Oct. 31.
- The sale of fireworks is banned in Burnaby
- Fireworks users must be 19+
- Fireworks may be set off on private property with the consent of the owner
- Fireworks may be set off on public property with a permit issued by the fire chief
- Burnaby requires separate permits for ‘low hazard’ (firework showers, pin wheels, roman candles) and ‘high hazard’ fireworks (rockets, bomb-shells, large wheels, waterfalls)
- Low and high hazard fireworks permits are $100
See the full regulations here.
New Westminster
Family fireworks are legal to use on Oct. 31 from 4 p.m. until midnight.
- The sale of fireworks is banned in New Westminster
- Fireworks may be possessed from Oct. 28-Oct. 31 at midnight
- Users must be 18+
- Fireworks must be set off on private property with the consent of the owner
- Fireworks may be set off on public property with written permission from the director of fire rescue services
- Only low hazard fireworks (firework showers, pin wheels, Roman candles) are permitted. Roman candles are banned
- High hazard fireworks are banned without a special permit and a valid fireworks supervisor card
- Fines for violations begin at $200
See the full bylaw here.
Port Coquitlam
Family fireworks are legal to use on Oct. 31 until 11 p.m.
- The sale of fireworks is banned in Port Coquitlam
- Anyone possessing or using fireworks must be 18+ and have a permit
- Fireworks must be set off on private property with the consent of the occupants, unless part of a controlled display with special permission obtained from the fire chief
- Firecrackers, bottle rockets, screechers and Roman candles are banned
- Fireworks event permits cost $30
- Fines for violations begin at $750
See the full regulations here.
Coquitlam
- The sale of fireworks in banned in Coquitlam
- Anyone setting off fireworks requires a permit from the fire chief
- Permit holders must be 19+
- Permits must state the date, time and duration of the fireworks display, along with name and address of the property owner and person supervising the fireworks
- Low hazard fireworks displays must occur within a 30m x 30m aerial space and 20m x 20m ground area, prohibiting most residential lots
- High hazard fireworks displays require submission of site plan with a layout and supervisors must have a fireworks identification card from the federal chief inspector of explosives
- Low hazard fireworks permits are $50, high hazard permits are $100
See the full regulations here.
Firework bans
Many Metro Vancouver municipalities have banned both the sale and the use of consumer family fireworks over safety concerns.
These cities do allow organized public fireworks displays, but most require special permits which require the holder to have Natural Resources Canada Fireworks Supervisor certificate, along with varying levels of liability insurance.
Lower Mainland municipalities with family fireworks bans:
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