2nd Jul 2021

Consumer Fireworks in Michigan
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Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Summer is here and the 4th of July is this weekend, which means firework season has officially started! It is important to familiarize yourself with the consumer fireworks laws in Michigan, especially if you are planning to let some off yourself.

Local governmental entities have the right to restrict residents from setting off consumer fireworks on certain days and at certain times. In order to do this, the governmental entities have to enact their own local ordinance. Violations of the local ordinances will result in a mandatory fine of $1,000 per the state law in Michigan. However, if the village, township, or city does not enact a local ordinance then they are not putting any restrictions on consumer fireworks for their communities which could result in year-round firework ignition. So, it is extremely important for them to enact a local ordinance for their communities.

Regardless of the local governmental ordinances restricting fireworks, the State of Michigan law requires that fireworks must be allowed after 11:00am on the following days throughout the year:

*Saturday and Sunday before Memorial Day until 11:45pm

*June 29-July 4 until 11:45am

*July 5 until 11:45pm-only if it falls on a Friday or a Saturday

*Saturday and Sunday before Labor Day until 11:45pm

*December 31 until 1:00am on January 1

If you are going to ignite consumer fireworks, it is important that you remember they can be ignited only on private property. Do not ignite them on public properties which include streets, sidewalks, schools, churches, or another person’s property without their permission. Remember to NEVER ignite fireworks if you are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

The types of consumer fireworks that are legal in the State of Michigan are as follows:

  • Roman Candles
  • Bottle rockets/sky rockets
  • Missile type rockets
  • Aerials
  • Reloadable shell device
  • Helicopter/aerial spinners
  • Firecrackers
  • Single tube device with report
  • Low impact fireworks including ground sparkling devices, smoke devices, sparkling wheel devices, and handheld sparklers
  • Novelties including snappers, snakes, party poppers, smoke balls, and sparking devices.

If property is damaged, a person is injured, or a person dies when using fireworks of any kind (consumer, low impact, illegal), individuals are subject to a misdemeanor or a felony which could result in up to 15 years in prison, up to $10,000 in fines, or both.

Always be sure to purchase consumer fireworks from licensed facilities that only sell to people who are at least 18 years old. The State of Michigan lists the following as important safety tips when igniting consumer fireworks. While some of them may seem rather obvious, they are still important to remember:

*Follow the manufacturer’s directions.

*Have an adult supervise firework activities, including sparklers.

*Light fireworks one at a time, then immediately back away to a safe distance.

*Keep people and pets out of range before lighting fireworks.

*Light fireworks outdoors on a driveway or other paved surface at least 25 feet away from houses and highly flammable materials such as dry grass or mulch.

*Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.

*Douse spent fireworks in a bucket of water before discarding them.

*NEVER buy fireworks packaged in brown paper or use unlabeled fireworks-they are for professional use only.

*NEVER experiment with or make your own fireworks.

*NEVER allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.

*NEVER place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse.

*NEVER try to re-light “duds” or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.

*NEVER point or throw fireworks at other people.

*NEVER carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.

Fireworks are fun but can also be extremely dangerous so it is important to remember the laws surrounding them and the safety regulations to keep you and your loved ones out of harm’s way.

Contact our Municipal group if you have any questions.

State of Michigan Fireworks Laws