Chilliwack fireworks rules
Are fireworks allowed in Chilliwack?
Short answer
No. Under the City of Chilliwack's Fireworks Regulation Bylaw, consumer fireworks and firecrackers cannot be sold, bought, possessed or set off in the city at any time. The ticket is $500 and the fireworks can be confiscated. Display fireworks need a Display Permit.
Key facts
| Setting off fireworks | No. Residents may not buy, hold, possess, discharge or otherwise use consumer fireworks or firecrackers at any time, and may not discharge a fire of any kind in the open air, including sky lanterns. The bylaw sets no dates, hours or permits for consumer fireworks. Display fireworks need a Display Permit.Sources differ: The City page lists sparklers as consumer fireworks (prohibited); the bylaw definition of Consumer Fireworks does not include sparklers, Christmas crackers or toy-gun caps, so by the bylaw sparklers are not caught by s. 4(1) and 4(3). The bylaw still bans discharging any open-air fire (s. 4(5)). Value follows the bylaw.Fireworks Regulation Bylaw 2021, No. 5109, s. 4, 5; Fireworks, Consumer Fireworks · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05Official wordingno person may buy, hold, possess, Discharge, or otherwise use Consumer no person may buy, hold, possess, Discharge, or otherwise use Firecrackers. no person may Discharge a fire of any kind whatsoever in the open air without a Display Permit The possession and discharge of consumer fireworks and firecrackers is prohibited at all times. |
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| Selling fireworks | No. No person may sell, offer for sale or otherwise transfer consumer fireworks or firecrackers. The bylaw sets no exception or season.Fireworks Regulation Bylaw 2021, No. 5109, s. 4(1), 4(2); Fireworks, Consumer Fireworks · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05Official wordingno person may sell, offer for sale or otherwise transfer Consumer Fireworks to no person may sell, offer for sale or otherwise transfer Firecrackers to any person. The sale and purchase of consumer fireworks and firecrackers is prohibited. |
| What counts as fireworks | Consumer Fireworks means all fireworks of every kind, including federal Type F.1 explosives, but not Display Fireworks, Christmas crackers, sparklers or caps for toy guns. Display Fireworks are Type F.2 explosives (display shells, bombshells, large wheels, barrages, bombardos, waterfalls, mines). Firecrackers are small explosive charges with a fuse in a heavy paper casing, exploded to make noise.Sources differ: The City Fireworks page says consumer fireworks 'include items such as Roman candles, sparklers, fountains, volcanoes, mines, and snakes'. The bylaw excludes sparklers from Consumer Fireworks. Value follows the bylaw.Fireworks Regulation Bylaw 2021, No. 5109, s. 3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05Official wordingbut does not include Display Fireworks, Christmas crackers, sparklers and caps for toy guns; classified as Type F.2 explosives under the federal “Firecracker” means a small explosive charge and a fuse in a heavy paper casing |
| Permit | Only for display fireworks, not consumer fireworks. A person 18 or older may apply for a Display Permit for a special event, festival or theatrical performance, at least ten days before the event, with a $50 application fee, proof of Natural Resources Canada authorization, and $5,000,000 liability insurance. The bylaw says apply to the Local Assistant of the Fire Commissioner; the City page says the Chilliwack Fire Department.Fireworks Regulation Bylaw 2021, No. 5109, s. 14, Schedule B; Fireworks, Permits for Display Fireworks · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05Official wordingAny person 18 years of age or older desiring to Discharge Display Fireworks at least ten days prior to the date upon which the event is to occur a display permit application fee of $50.00. not less than $5,000,000.00 per occurrence This permit is not available for those wishing to discharge consumer fireworks. must apply for and obtain a Permit for Display Fireworks Event from the Chilliwack Fire Department |
| Fine | Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 4573, Schedule A: $500 for selling, possessing or discharging consumer fireworks or firecrackers, discharging sky lanterns, or using display fireworks without a permit. $490 if paid early (within 14 days) and $510 if paid late. Court penalty under the bylaw: up to $50,000 or six months in jail, or both.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 4573 (PDF, consolidated April 21, 2026), Schedule A, Fireworks Regulation Bylaw 5109; Fireworks Regulation Bylaw 2021, No. 5109, s. 23 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05Official wordingPossess or Discharge Consumer Fireworks Sell or offer for sale Consumer Fireworks Discharge Sky Lanterns Possess or Discharge Display Fireworks without Display is liable to a fine of not more than $50,000.00 |
| Bylaw | Fireworks Regulation Bylaw 2021, No. 5109Fireworks Regulation Bylaw 2021, No. 5109, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05Official wordingThis bylaw may be cited as “Fireworks Regulation Bylaw 2021, No. 5109”. |
How it works
In the City of Chilliwack, the Fireworks Regulation Bylaw 2021, No. 5109 bans selling, buying, possessing or setting off consumer fireworks and firecrackers, even if they can be bought nearby. The bylaw sets no dates, hours or permits for consumer fireworks. It also bans setting off a fire of any kind in the open air, including sky lanterns. People found with fireworks can be fined and have them confiscated.
Consumer fireworks means all fireworks of every kind, including federal Type F.1 explosives, but not display fireworks, Christmas crackers, sparklers or toy-gun caps. Display fireworks are Type F.2 explosives such as display shells and barrages.
Steps
- For a professional display, a person 18 or older applies for a Display Permit at least ten days before the event. It is for a special event, festival or theatrical performance.
- Include the $50 application fee, proof of authorization from Natural Resources Canada, a letter of approval from the property owner, and a Certificate of Insurance for at least $5,000,000 per occurrence.
- To report illegal fireworks, call Bylaw Enforcement during office hours or the RCMP non-emergency line after hours.
Good to know
- Display permits are not available for people who want to set off consumer fireworks.
- Report sales of fireworks to Bylaw Enforcement, 604-793-2908.
- Under the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 4573, tickets for selling, possessing or setting off consumer fireworks, for sky lanterns, and for display fireworks without a permit are $500 each ($490 if paid within 14 days, $510 if paid late). In court, the bylaw allows a fine up to $50,000 or six months in jail, or both.
- The City's web page lists sparklers as prohibited, but the bylaw excludes them from the definition. Confirm with the City before using any.
- The bylaw says to apply to the Local Assistant of the Fire Commissioner; the City page says the Chilliwack Fire Department.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Harrison Hot Springs · Kent · Abbotsford · Mission · Hope · Township of Langley
Sources
- Fireworks, City of Chilliwack (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 4573 (PDF, consolidated April 21, 2026) (read 2026-11-05)
- Fireworks Regulation Bylaw 2021, No. 5109 (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. How answers are checked.