Clark County Washington
Home Find It! A-Z Index Departments & Programs Jobs Contact Us
     
Comm. Dev. > Fire Marshal > Fireworks

Fireworks

Reminder: purchase and discharge of fireworks is not permitted on New Year's Eve in unincorporated Clark County. Please see legal dates and times listed below.

Adopted Fireworks Ordinance Modifications (PDF - 62K):  On April 11, 2006, the Board of Clark County Commissioners adopted modifications to Chapter 5.28 of the Clark County Code (Sale of Fireworks) to include updates based on changes in state law, eliminate unnecessary language, and allow a maximum of six retail sales permits to be held by the organization which funds the community-wide Fourth of July fireworks display at the Historic Reserve.

Fireworks may be legally sold in unincorporated Clark County between noon on June 28th and 9 p.m. on July 5th of each year.

Fireworks may be legally discharged during these times:
June 28: noon to 11:00 p.m.
June 29 through July 3: 9:00 a.m. to 11 p.m.
July 4: 9:00 a.m. to midnight
July 5: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Fireworks sales and discharge at any other time is prohibited without a special permit from the fire marshal.

Only common fireworks legal in the state of Washington may be possessed or discharged. All firecrackers, salutes, chasers, skyrockets and bottle rockets are illegal to either possess or discharge! It is also illegal to obtain fireworks via mail order or via public transporter. Large devices commonly known as M-80s, M-1000s or home made devices are also illegal. Possession of these types of devices is a felony and may also violate state and federal explosive statutes.

Fireworks can be dangerous and have caused serious injury and death. Many types of fireworks that are prohibited in Washington and Clark County - some of them extremely dangerous - are available in other states and on certain reservations. Although you can purchase Clark County and Washington State "legal" fireworks at these locations you can also purchase fireworks that are illegal to possess or discharge off of the reservation or out of the state. Washington also allows some fireworks that are prohibited in Oregon. It is also illegal to purchase Oregon illegal fireworks in Washington and transport them back to Oregon.

It is often difficult to determine which fireworks are legal and which ones are not for a specific type or a specific location. Fines for illegal possession and use of fireworks can be very steep - up to $1,000 and/or 90 days in jail. If you are going to purchase fireworks, your best bet is to buy them locally from a local dealer that has been inspected and approved by the Clark County Fire Marshal.

Documents

top of page

Clark County Community Development: Marty Snell, Director
Street address: 1300 Franklin Street, Vancouver, WA 98660
Mailing address: P.O. Box 9810, Vancouver, WA 98666-9810
Main phone: (360) 397-2375 | Fax: (360) 397-2011
E-mail: commdev@clark.wa.gov

Clark County Home | Find It! | A-Z Index | News Releases | Jobs | Contact Us

For questions or comments regarding the Clark County Web site: Webmaster@clark.wa.gov

© 2008 Clark County Washington | Disclaimer and legal notice | Health Information Privacy Notice