Is setting off fireworks in Pierce County on New Year’s Eve legal? Here’s what to know
While fireworks and the Fourth of July are synonymous, they are also quite common during New Year’s celebrations.
But if you’re planning on launching fireworks this New Year’s, it’s important to know where and when it is legal to do so since the rules are different across Pierce County. Here’s what you need to know.
Is it legal to set off fireworks in Tacoma?
It is never legal to purchase, possess or set off personal fireworks of any kind in Tacoma, according to the city. Anyone caught with fireworks within city limits is subject to a fine of $513.
According to the City of Tacoma, fireworks were first banned in 1992 after an especially dry spring, but the Tacoma City Council decided to completely ban fireworks the following spring “due to the inherent danger that fireworks pose to community members and property.” The City Council voted to keep the fireworks ban in place in May 1998.
Are fireworks legal in Fife, Lakewood and Gig Harbor?
Fife allows any consumer firework deemed legal by the state to be set off from 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 through 1 a.m. on Jan. 1 of the next year.
People who are found to be selling, possessing or using illegal fireworks in the City of Fife can be jailed for up to 90 days and can be fined $1,000, according to the city’s website.
Lakewood only allows fireworks that are deemed legal by the Washington State Patrol. Legal fireworks can only be discharged between 11 p.m. on Dec. 31 and 1 a.m. on Jan. 1.
Gig Harbor does not allow the sale, possession or use of fireworks within city limits and violators can be fined $1,000, according to the city’s Municipal Code.
Reporting fireworks violations
The City of Tacoma and the City of Fife advise that people reporting firework violations or complaints call South Sound 911’s non-emergency line at 253-287-4455.
Is it legal to set off fireworks in Pierce County?
Fireworks are allowed in unincorporated Pierce County between 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 and 1 a.m. on Jan. 1. However, they are only allowed to be discharged on private property with permission from the property owner.
What types of consumer fireworks are legal in WA?
State law defines consumer fireworks as “any small firework device designed to produce visible effects by combustion” that comply with U.S. consumer safety standards. The law gives Washington State Patrol the power to interpret which fireworks meet these criteria.
According to the WSP, the following types of consumer fireworks are legal in the state (if allowed by city laws):
Cylindrical fountains
Helicopters and aerial spinners
Cone fountains
Smoke devices
Roman candles
Parachutes
Wheels
Mines, shells and cakes
Ground spinners
Reloadable mortars
Sparklers
Firecrackers, sky rockets and missiles, and bottle rockets are illegal in Washington state even though they’re legal under federal law.
Owning or using M-80s, tennis ball bombs, cherry bombs or altered fireworks is considered a criminal offense.
Even if you’re otherwise following state regulations, it’s illegal to use fireworks in a way that “creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another person or damage to the property of another.”
Fireworks safety tips
If you’re going to use consumer fireworks, the National Safety Council recommends keeping them away from other people, houses or any flammable material. You should also keep them away from young children. Wearing protective goggles is recommended.
You should never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol, and keep water handy to extinguish any potential fire. You can find a full list of fireworks safety tips on the NSC website.
The Pierce County website notes that after lighting fireworks, people should wet the used fireworks in water and clean up firework debris. Fireworks debris should be placed in the trash, not a recycle bin.
Keeping pets safe during New Year’s fireworks
As you prepare to ring in the New Year, it is also important to remember to create a pet-friendly celebration to ensure that your pets are safe and comfortable.
The American Animal Hospital Association recommends following these steps to ensure a safe and happy start to the new year:
- Create a safe and comfortable space indoors that is away from the fireworks, music and party sounds which could cause anxiety. This space should include a bed or blanket and toy for distraction.
- Keep pets indoors, as loud noises can spook them and cause them to run away. Secure all windows and doors and ask guests to be careful to not let your pets out when they are entering or exiting your home.
- Ensure all trash and leftovers are cleaned up and secured in trash cans so pets cannot eat anything that could be harmful.
- Keep their routine as normal as possible by sticking to their usual feeding and walking times. Added exercise or playtime can also help tire your pet out which could help them relax once the celebration begins.
