Are Fireworks Legal in Maricopa County

Permanent stores like Target or Walmart don`t need a permit to sell fireworks to consumers, he said. Initially, about 60 store managers intended to sell fireworks, but that number dropped to 38 when several managers changed their plans due to the risk of fire, DuBois said. Residents can legally purchase fireworks: from May 20 to July 6, from December 10 to January 3. Gilbert`s fire marshal, Dan DuBois, said he expected 21 temporary fireworks stores — most in parking garages or on vacant retail spaces — to be allowed within city limits. If that doesn`t deter the irresponsible detonation, Favazzo has some scary legal advice: if an irresponsible user of Chandler fireworks sets fire to an occupied structure, he`s committed a crime that could put him in jail. They are also financially responsible for the damage. The result is a hodgepodge of regulations which differ from one Community to another. For example, Gilbert, Mesa and Queen Creek only allow the use of fireworks on certain days on private property. Chandler and Tempe have banned the use of fireworks for consumers, although the use of novelties such as poppers, smoke bombs and sparks is legal. Dozens of fireworks vendors have settled throughout the Southeast Valley, creating easy public access to sparks, torches, spinners and fountains – most with a patriotic theme in honor of Independence Day. Most municipalities continue to ban fireworks on public lands, but specific rules may vary from city to city. We encourage you to contact your local police or fire department if you have any questions about where you can legally use fireworks in your area.

Fire crews accept illegal fireworks, which are voluntarily delivered to the fire station locations. To report the use of illegal fireworks, contact the Phoenix Police Department at 602-262-6151. This week is Mesa`s first experience with the legal use of fireworks. The new law applies only to municipalities in Maricopa and Pima counties. Municipalities in other Arizona counties may ban the use of fireworks, mainly due to wildfire issues. The new bill allows cities to ban the use of fireworks on public property, but they cannot prohibit their use on private property. The use of public fireworks in Gilbert is legal from Sunday to Wednesday, but only on private property with the permission of the owner. The minimum penalty for violating the city`s order is $250. The regulation allows Tempe to cover costs when emergency services are needed in connection with the illegal use of fireworks for the general public. Senate Bill 1158, signed by Governor Jan Brewer last year, requires municipalities in Maricopa and Pima counties to allow the sale and use of fireworks on the ground around July 4 and New Year`s Day. Permitted fireworks include: cylindrical and conical fountains, lighting torches, wheels, ground moths, firestones, ground sparks.

The Phoenix Fire Code prevents the sale and use of consumer fireworks in the City of Phoenix. However, on certain dates, Arizona state law replaces this requirement and allows for sale and use. Section 36-1606 of Arizona`s revised statutes governs when authorized fireworks may be purchased, sold, and used in Arizona. The law does not apply to novelties: snappers, caps, fireflies, snakes, party poppers and sparks. Late last year, city council considered passing an ordinance legalizing their use in time for New Year`s Day, but time is running out. Council passed the ordinance in January by a 4-3 vote, based on Mayor Scott Smith`s argument that there is no point in selling something but not using it. Accused of a crime? Victim of an accident? We`re here to help. Read more: www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/2011/06/30/20110630southeast-valley-fireworks-laws.html#ixzz1Qskenxy7 The sale of consumer fireworks allowed in temporary tents of more than 800 square meters requires a permit for fire protection tents. State law requires signage at points of sale, and the exhibition that advises the purchase of authorized consumer fireworks is prohibited to anyone under the age of 16. Additional permits and zoning permits may be required from the Zoning Division of the Department of Planning and Development. Tempe City Council banned the use of fireworks for consumers last fall.

Unregulated novelties such as sparks and confetti poppers are allowed. Consumer fireworks are defined by the American Pyrotechnics Association as including ground and portable radios, lighting torches, fire petrels, fire petrels and wheels. The new state law does not allow fireworks and fireworks to fly into the air and explode, such as bottle rockets, rockets, helicopters and Roman candles. The Queen Creek order mirrors Gilbert`s. Public fireworks can be used from Sunday to Wednesday and only on private property. Fire Chief Jeff Clark said the city has issued 17 “tent” permits for the sale of temporary fireworks and dozens of retailers in the city operate them. However, SB1158 makes it a Class 1 offence with a mandatory fine of at least $1,000 for the use of fireworks on conservation land in a city that has purchased 15,000 acres or more for conservation purposes. During New Year`s Day, city inspectors seized 92 boxes or 150 pounds of illegal fireworks. Gilbert police responded to 155 fireworks calls from Dec.

1 to Jan. 10, up from 50 at the same time last year. The sale of authorized consumer fireworks is allowed: Mesa allows the use of inferior fireworks from December 30 to January 30. June 1 and June 28 – July 4, but only on private property. Offensive users can be fined up to $750 for repeated violations, and those who repeatedly violate Mesa`s regulations on selling fireworks could face fines of up to $2,500 and six months in jail. The challenge on this first fourth weekend of July, since buying fireworks became legal for Arizona consumers, is to determine where and when fireworks can be used. In many communities, it is legal to buy them, but illegal to ignite them. Civil penalties range from $150 to $1,000, depending on the violation.

Violation of fireworks regulations is no longer a Class 3 offence. In Chandler, fireworks cannot be lit within the city limits. Gilbert Mayor John Lewis expressed concern that the public may not understand which fireworks are legal and which are not. “County Islanders,” that is, those who live in unincorporated areas in Maricopa and Pinal counties, are not allowed to use fireworks for the general public. Although the use of fireworks in the city was still illegal last Year, Mesa officials said at the time that they would make no special effort to find violations. No fireworks incidents were reported. Residents can use ground moths, spark wheel devices and fountain-shaped fireworks: June 24 to July 6. Authorized fireworks offered for sale under state law may not be sold to persons under the age of 16. The penalty for selling, buying or using fireworks outside of authorized data is a fine of $1,000. The use of fireworks on Phoenix City conservation lands is prohibited and is a Class 1 offense with a $1,000 fine Apache Junction has no restrictions on consumer fireworks that can be used year-round on public and private property. Lawmakers legalized the sale of fireworks to consumers starting last December, but left the rules of use to municipalities.

State law prohibits sellers from selling fireworks to anyone under the age of 16. Permitted fireworks include ground moths, sparkling wheel devices, and cylindrical, square, cone-shaped, and Californian rocket-shaped fountains. Here`s a look at how each community in the Southeast Valley regulates fireworks during the fourth weekend of July: Zimmerman has three distribution points in Mesa, two in Phoenix and two in Peoria. “It`s still a decent market,” he said. “It`s just not as big a market as some of the other states.” “As dry as Arizona is, the potential for a new source of ignition is not a good suggestion for us,” he said.