Want to shoot off fireworks on the Fourth of July? Here are rules across Pierce County
With the Fourth of July right around the corner, people might be considering putting on their own fireworks shows, but they should be mindful of local regulations.
According to the Pierce County website, fireworks are banned in city, county, and state parks, at Crystal Mountain and in Fircrest, Greenwater, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Ruston, Steilacoom and Tacoma.
According to the City of Tacoma website, fireworks in the city were banned after a dry spring in 1992 when city officials worried fireworks would be a danger to property and residents.
Some people still launch fireworks in Tacoma, according to Fire Department public information officer Joe Meinecke.
“They are banned, but every year we respond to fires and injuries associated with people using fireworks in our jurisdiction,” Meinecke told The News Tribune. “And that’s always discouraging that people don’t follow the ban, and they put themselves and others in harm’s way.”
Those caught using fireworks in Tacoma could be fined $513 for the violation and have their fireworks confiscated. Those who want to report firework complaints can call the South Sound 911 non-emergency hotline number, 253-287-4455. Another available tool for reporting firework complaints, that is available for the public to report violations from July 1 at 6 p.m. to July 5 at 6 a.m. is an online reporting tool. The online reporting tool is only available to certain cities in Pierce County like Fife, Orting, Sumner, Roy, Tacoma, and University Place. Fines also are in affect in other municipalities that ban fireworks.
Fireworks purchased at stands that open around the holiday or on tribal land still are not allowed to be used in certain areas. The use of fireworks in cities like Tacoma are only allowed to be used by professionals at authorized community events.
In unincorporated Pierce County, fireworks are allowed to be discharged on private property as long as the property owner has given permission. Fireworks in unincorporated Pierce County can be released July 1 to July 3 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., July 4 from 10 a.m. to midnight. Fireworks in the unincorporated area are allowed on July 5 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. only when July 4 falls on a Sunday.
Gig Harbor and University Place permit the use of fireworks solely on July 4 from 9 a.m. until midnight, whereas Lakewood allows fireworks on July 4 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. You can find information about other cities that continue to allow personal use of fireworks, including permissible times and dates, on the county website.
Firecrackers, bottle rockets and missiles are illegal to possess off tribal land, according to the website. Cherry bombs, M-80’s or larger, tennis-ball bombs, pipe bombs and special, home-made, tampered or altered fireworks are illegal anywhere.
The Pierce County website states that fireworks should only be handled by adults, used outdoors and in a safe way.
This story was originally published June 28, 2022 at 5:00 AM.