Colwood fireworks rules
Are fireworks allowed in Colwood?
Short answer
Only with a permit. In the City of Colwood, fireworks may be set off only on October 31 between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., or in exceptional circumstances set by City policy. Permit holders must be 18 or older. Selling fireworks, and firecrackers, are banned.
Key facts
| Setting off fireworks | Only with a permit, and only on October 31 between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. (or in exceptional circumstances set by City policy). Permit holders must be 18 or older; no one under 18 may hold or discharge fireworks. Firecrackers and prohibited fireworks are banned outright.Fireworks Regulation Bylaw No. 891, 2006 (consolidated to July 19, 2022), s. 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.8; Planning Fireworks for Halloween? Take the Fireworks Safety Course to get your permit, Passage containing “Consumer fireworks events may only take place on October 31 between 5 pm and 10 pm” · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo person may discharge consumer fireworks except on October 31st of each year between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. or through exceptional circumstances as stated in the municipality’s policy. No person may hold, possess, store, discharge, or otherwise use consumer fireworks or display fireworks without a permit. No person under the age of eighteen (18) years may hold, possess, store, discharge, or otherwise use any - Consumer fireworks events may only take place on October 31 between 5 pm and 10 pm |
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| Selling fireworks | No. No person may sell fireworks in Colwood.Fireworks Regulation Bylaw No. 891, 2006 (consolidated to July 19, 2022), s. 3.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo person may sell fireworks. |
| What counts as fireworks | 'Fireworks' covers consumer, display and pyrotechnic special effects fireworks. Consumer fireworks include fountains, Roman candles, pin wheels, volcanoes and similar low-hazard types; the definition excludes Christmas crackers, sparklers and caps for toy guns. Firecrackers and listed prohibited fireworks (cherry bombs, M-80s, smoke bombs and others) are banned.Fireworks Regulation Bylaw No. 891, 2006 (consolidated to July 19, 2022), s. 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingincludes fireworks showers, fountains, golden rain, lawn lights, pin wheels, Roman candles, and volcanoes but does not include Christmas crackers, sparklers, and caps Firecracker” means a pyrotechnic device that explodes when ignited No person may buy, sell, hold, possess, store, discharge, or otherwise use firecrackers. |
| Permit | Anyone 18 or older may apply at City Hall after completing the free online Fireworks Safety Course (valid three years). Needs a completed application, the property owner's written agreement if not the applicant's, and proof of the course. Apply by noon on October 31 (or the last business day before). Consumer fireworks permit fee: $10 according to the ticket bylaw schedule; the fireworks bylaw's own fee schedule is unreadable.Fireworks Regulation Bylaw No. 891, 2006 (consolidated to July 19, 2022), s. 4.1; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1314, 2010 (consolidated to April 8, 2022), Schedule 14; Planning Fireworks for Halloween? Take the Fireworks Safety Course to get your permit, Passage containing “Once you have successfully completed the online course and exam, your fire department will be notified of the ” · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAny person eighteen (18) years of age or older desiring to discharge consumer fireworks or display fireworks must apply for a permit. 12:00 p.m. on October 31st Evidence that the applicant has completed an approved Fireworks Safety Awareness Course within the preceding three (3) calendar years from the date of application. 4.1 e) Consumer $10.00 fireworks permit Once you have successfully completed the online course and exam, your fire department will be notified of the results and you can apply for a permit. Please allow one business day for processing before visiting City hall to pay and collect your permit. |
| Fine | Bylaw notice ($ early / late): selling fireworks $500 ($400 / $500); possessing without a permit, discharging outside the permitted period, possessing firecrackers or prohibited fireworks $100 ($80 / $120); unsafe discharge $200 ($160 / $240). Municipal ticket: same base amounts.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1911, 2021 (consolidated to March 9, 2026), Schedule B, Fireworks Regulation Bylaw No. 891; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1314, 2010 (consolidated to April 8, 2022), Schedule 14 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingSale of fireworks Place graffiti 5(a) $500.00 $400.00 $500.00 Possess fireworks without permit Stunting 37 $100.00 $80.00 $120.00 Unsafe discharge 3.7 $200.00 $160.00 $240.00 Sale of fireworks Unlawful kennel 6.1 $500.00 Possess fireworks without 37 Stunting $100.00 |
| Bylaw | Fireworks Regulation Bylaw No. 891, 2006Fireworks Regulation Bylaw No. 891, 2006 (consolidated to July 19, 2022), s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as “Fireworks Regulation Bylaw” No.891, 2006. |
How it works
The Fireworks Regulation Bylaw No. 891 applies 24 hours a day, all year. Fireworks may be set off only with a permit, and only on October 31 between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. (or in exceptional circumstances set by City policy). "Fireworks" covers consumer, display and pyrotechnic special effects fireworks. Consumer fireworks include fountains, Roman candles, pin wheels and volcanoes. Christmas crackers, sparklers and caps for toy guns are not counted. No one under 18 may hold or discharge fireworks, and no one may sell fireworks in Colwood.
Steps
- Take the free online Fireworks Safety Course (valid three years). You must be 18 or older.
- Complete the permit application. If the property is not yours, add the property owner's written agreement.
- Apply at City Hall by noon on October 31 (or the last business day before), with proof of the course.
- Pay the permit fee. Set off fireworks only during the permitted period.
Good to know
- Firecrackers and listed prohibited fireworks (cherry bombs, M-80s, smoke bombs and others) are banned outright.
- The City says permits depend on current fire conditions.
- Consumer permit fee: $10 according to the ticket bylaw schedule; the fireworks bylaw's own fee schedule could not be read. Confirm at City Hall.
- Fines: a bylaw notice is $500 ($400 early, $500 late) for selling fireworks; $100 ($80 / $120) for possessing without a permit, discharging outside the permitted period, or possessing firecrackers or prohibited fireworks; $200 ($160 / $240) for unsafe discharge. Municipal tickets have the same base amounts. A court fine on conviction is $100 to $10,000.
What you'll need
- Proof of the free online Fireworks Safety Course (valid three years)
- Completed permit application
- The property owner's written agreement, if the property is not yours
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
View Royal · Esquimalt · Langford · Victoria · Metchosin · Highlands
Sources
- Fireworks Regulation Bylaw No. 891, 2006 (consolidated to July 19, 2022) (PDF), City of Colwood (read 2026-11-05)
- Planning Fireworks for Halloween? Take the Fireworks Safety Course to get your permit, City of Colwood (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1911, 2021 (consolidated to March 9, 2026) (PDF), City of Colwood (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1314, 2010 (consolidated to April 8, 2022) (PDF), City of Colwood (read 2026-11-05)
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