--- title: Abbotsford fireworks rules question: "Are fireworks allowed?" place: Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada place_path: ca/bc/abbotsford category: Bylaws, noise and complaints owner: municipal owner_body: City of Abbotsford sources_read: 2026-11-05 review: machine_checked canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/fireworks/" json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/fireworks.json" --- # Abbotsford fireworks rules **Question:** Are fireworks allowed? **Short answer:** No. In Abbotsford, nobody may set off fireworks unless authorized by a fireworks permit, and nobody may possess them except wholesalers and permit holders. Permits go only to certified technicians for displays. Retail sale to the public is not allowed. **Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Abbotsford, https://www.abbotsford.ca) **Cost:** Display permit: $150; security deposit $1,000; inspection $150 (re-inspection $300). Fine: $500 bylaw notice ($450 if paid within 14 days) or $1,000 municipal ticket ($500 if paid in full by the 30th day). **Where:** - Phone: Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service (Fire Prevention), 604-853-3566 - Online: Fire Permits (City of Abbotsford), https://www.abbotsford.ca/public-safety/fire-rescue-service/fire-permits ## Key facts - **Setting off fireworks:** No. Nobody may set off fireworks in the City unless authorized by a fireworks permit, and nobody may possess them except wholesalers and permit holders. Fireworks are also barred in parks without a permit. Permits go only to certified technicians for displays. - Source: [Fire Service Bylaw, 2026 (No. 3710-2026), consolidated, Part 11, s. 107, 108](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2026bylaw3710bb) - Official wording: "A person must not possess fireworks in the City unless that person is" … "in the City unless authorized by a fireworks permit issued under this bylaw." - Source: [Fire Permits, intro](https://www.abbotsford.ca/public-safety/fire-rescue-service/fire-permits) - Official wording: "The use of fireworks and firecrackers is illegal in the City of Abbotsford." … "Permits will only be issued to certified Technicians who meet the requirements outlined in the Fire Service Bylaw No 3710-2026." - Source: [Parks Bylaw 2456-2016 (consolidated to March 31, 2026), s. 7](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2016byl2456) - Official wording: "No person may carry or discharge fireworks of any description in any Park, unless" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Selling fireworks:** No. Only wholesalers (licensed by the City, selling in bulk to permit holders or to retailers outside the City) may sell fireworks. Retail sale to the general public is not allowed. - Source: [Fire Service Bylaw, 2026 (No. 3710-2026), consolidated, s. 2, 106](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2026bylaw3710bb) - Official wording: "A person other than a wholesaler must not offer for sale, sell, give or trade fireworks in the" … "does not include the retail sale of fireworks to the general public." - Source: [Fire Permits, intro](https://www.abbotsford.ca/public-safety/fire-rescue-service/fire-permits) - Official wording: "Residents need to be aware that even though fireworks are offered for sale nearby, they must not be used in Abbotsford." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **What counts as fireworks:** 'Fireworks' means cannon crackers, fireballs, firecrackers, mines, roman candles, sky rockets, squibs, torpedoes, and any other explosive designated as a firework by regulation of the Lieutenant Governor in Council. - Source: [Fire Service Bylaw, 2026 (No. 3710-2026), consolidated, s. 2](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2026bylaw3710bb) - Official wording: "cannon crackers, fireballs, firecrackers, mines, roman candles, sky" … "rockets, squibs, torpedoes, and any other explosive designated as a firework by" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Permit:** Certified fireworks operators only, from the fire chief (Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service, 604-853-3566). Apply at least 14 days ahead with a site plan, proof of a valid fireworks operator certificate and fees: permit $150, security deposit $1,000, inspection $150 (re-inspection $300). Liability insurance of $5,000,000 is required. - Source: [Fire Service Bylaw, 2026 (No. 3710-2026), consolidated, s. 110, 113; Fees Schedule](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2026bylaw3710bb) - Official wording: "at least 14 days before the date the fireworks will be used or discharged." … "proof of valid fireworks operator certificate issued by the Government" … "minimum liability coverage of $5,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and property" - Source: [Fire Permits, Fees](https://www.abbotsford.ca/public-safety/fire-rescue-service/fire-permits) - Official wording: "Permit Fee of $150 CAD paid in full." … "Site Inspection Fee of $150 CAD paid in full." … "Re-inspection Fee of $300 CAD paid in full." … "Security deposit of $1,000 CAD" … "contact the Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service, Fire Prevention Division at 604-853-3566." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Fine:** Bylaw notice: $500 ($50 discount if paid within 14 days of delivery, so $450). Municipal ticket: $1,000 ($500 discount if paid in full by the 30th day after service, so $500). The City's Fire Rescue page says fines range from $200 to $1,000; the City's Good Neighbour Guide says up to $50,000. (Sources differ: Three City sources differ. Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw: $500 bylaw notice or $1,000 municipal ticket, or up to $50,000 if prosecuted under the Offence Act. Fire Rescue page: $200 to $1,000 (no $200 amount appears in the bylaw). Good Neighbour Guide (2021, under the repealed Fireworks Bylaw 2005): up to $50,000. The Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw amounts are used. Also, s. 117 makes a person liable for fire department costs. No specific amount for this offence in Table 1 (s. 7) of the Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw, 2020 (No. 3017-2020, last amended March 31, 2026), so the general penalties in s. 6 apply. Section 18 sets a late-payment amount of $500 if a bylaw notice is not paid within 30 days after it becomes due. The earlier Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2007 and Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw, 2007 were repealed by s. 35.) - Source: [Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw, 2020 (No. 3017), s. 6(a), 6(b), 17, 18, 28](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2020bylaw3017) - Official wording: "$500 for a bylaw contravention dealt with by bylaw notice;" … "$1 000 for a bylaw contravention dealt with by municipal ticket;" … "is discounted by $50 if the penalty is paid in full within 14 days of the delivery of the bylaw notice." … "is $500 if not paid within 30 days following the date the penalty becomes due and payable." … "is discounted by $500 if the penalty is paid in full by the 30th day from the date on which the ticket is served." … "The Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2007 and Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw, 2007 are" - Source: [Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw, 2020 (No. 3017), s. 6(c)](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2020bylaw3017) - Official wording: "(c) a maximum fine of $50 000 and 6 months imprisonment for a bylaw contravention" - Source: [Fire Permits, intro](https://www.abbotsford.ca/public-safety/fire-rescue-service/fire-permits) - Official wording: "Residents caught with fireworks will be subject to fines ranging from $200 - $1000" - Source: [Abbotsford Good Neighbour Guide (2021), Fireworks](https://www.abbotsford.ca/sites/default/files/2021-02/Abbotsford%20Good%20Neighbour%20Guide.pdf) - Official wording: "fines ranging up to $50,000" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Bylaw:** Fire Service Bylaw, 2026 (Bylaw No. 3710-2026), Part 11 Fireworks (replaced the Fireworks Bylaw, 2005) - Source: [Fire Service Bylaw, 2026 (No. 3710-2026), consolidated, title; s. 128](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2026bylaw3710bb) - Official wording: "Fire Service Bylaw, 2026" … "Bylaw No. 3710-2026" … "The Fire Service Bylaw, 2020 and Fireworks Bylaw, 2005 are repealed." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 ## How it works Under Part 11 of the [Fire Service Bylaw](), nobody may set off fireworks in the City unless authorized by a fireworks permit, and nobody may possess them except wholesalers and permit holders. Fireworks are also barred in parks without a permit. Home use is not permitted on any date. The fire chief may confiscate fireworks. "Fireworks" means cannon crackers, fireballs, firecrackers, mines, roman candles, sky rockets, squibs, torpedoes, and any other explosive designated as a firework by regulation of the Lieutenant Governor in Council. ## Steps (certified display only) 1. Permits go only to certified fireworks operators, from the fire chief. Apply at least 14 days ahead with a site plan, proof of a valid fireworks operator certificate and the fees. 2. Fees: permit $150, security deposit $1,000, inspection $150 (re-inspection $300). 3. Liability insurance of $5,000,000 is required. 4. Contact Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service at 604-853-3566. ## Good to know - Only wholesalers licensed by the City, selling in bulk to permit holders or to retailers outside the City, may sell fireworks. Retail sale to the public is not allowed. - The bylaw lists no specific fine, so the general penalty applies: a $500 bylaw notice ($450 if paid within 14 days of delivery) or a $1,000 municipal ticket ($500 if paid in full by the 30th day after service). A person who breaks the bylaw is also liable for fire department costs. - The City's Fire Rescue page says fines range from $200 to $1,000, and the 2021 Good Neighbour Guide says up to $50,000. These differ from the bylaw, so confirm the amount with the City. ## Official forms and pages - [Fire Permits (City of Abbotsford)](https://www.abbotsford.ca/public-safety/fire-rescue-service/fire-permits) - [Fire Service Bylaw 3710-2026](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2026bylaw3710bb) ## Related questions - [Abbotsford backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/backyard-fire.md) - [Abbotsford noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/noise-rules.md) - [Abbotsford bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/bylaw-fines.md) ## The same question elsewhere - [Fireworks rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fireworks.md) - [Mission](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/fireworks.md) - [Township of Langley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/fireworks.md) - [Chilliwack](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/fireworks.md) - [Langley City](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/fireworks.md) - [Maple Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/fireworks.md) - [Pitt Meadows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/fireworks.md) ## Sources - [Fire Service Bylaw, 2026 (No. 3710-2026), consolidated](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2026bylaw3710bb) (read 2026-11-05) - [Fire Permits, City of Abbotsford](https://www.abbotsford.ca/public-safety/fire-rescue-service/fire-permits) (read 2026-11-05) - [Parks Bylaw 2456-2016 (consolidated to March 31, 2026)](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2016byl2456) (read 2026-11-05) - [Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw, 2020 (No. 3017)](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2020bylaw3017) (read 2026-11-05) - [Abbotsford Good Neighbour Guide (2021) (PDF)](https://www.abbotsford.ca/sites/default/files/2021-02/Abbotsford%20Good%20Neighbour%20Guide.pdf) (read 2026-11-05) _Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. 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