---
title: Duncan fireworks rules
question: "Are fireworks allowed in Duncan?"
place: Duncan, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/duncan
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Duncan
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/fireworks/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/fireworks.json"
---

# Duncan fireworks rules

**Question:** Are fireworks allowed in Duncan?

**Short answer:** No. The City of Duncan bans setting off and selling fireworks. The only exception is a public display with the Chief Administrative Officer's written permission, applied for on the City's Fireworks Permit Application ($25; no charge for non-profit societies).

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Duncan, https://duncan.ca)  
**Cost:** Permit $25, no charge for a non-profit society. Bylaw notice $100 ($75 if paid within 14 days); municipal ticket $1,000 for unlawful discharge.  
**How long:** Not stated; the form says completing it does not guarantee approval.  
**Where:**
- In person: City Hall, 200 Craig Street, Duncan, BC V9L 1W3
- Phone: City Hall, 250-746-6126
- Email: City Hall, duncan@duncan.ca

## Key facts

- **Setting off fireworks:** No. Setting off or discharging fireworks anywhere in the City is banned, except a public display by a person or organization with the Chief Administrative Officer's written permission. Fireworks are also banned in parks unless authorized in writing by the City.
  - Source: [Fireworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3116, 2014, s. 3.2, 3.3](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37463)
  - Official wording: "Per person shall set off or discharge fireworks within the City of Duncan." … "fireworks may be sold to and discharged by a person or organization conducting a public display with the written permission of the Chief Administrative Officer of the City of Duncan."
  - Source: [Parks and Public Open Spaces Bylaw No. 3165, s. 3.1(f)](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/87490)
  - Official wording: "Set fire to or discharge any fireworks or other explosive material of any kind, except when authorized in writing by the City."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Selling fireworks:** No. Selling or disposing of fireworks in the City is banned, except to a person or organization conducting a public display with the Chief Administrative Officer's written permission.
  - Source: [Fireworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3116, 2014, s. 3.1, 3.3](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37463)
  - Official wording: "No person shall sell or dispose of fireworks within the City of Duncan." … "fireworks may be sold to and discharged by a person or organization conducting a public display with the written permission of the Chief Administrative Officer of the City of Duncan."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **What counts as fireworks:** "Fireworks" means high-hazard fireworks used for recreation (Class 7, Division 2, Subdivision 2 under the federal Explosives Act and Regulations), including firecrackers and roman candles.
  - Source: [Fireworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3116, 2014, s. 2 (Definitions)](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37463)
  - Official wording: "means high-hazard fireworks used for recreation, classified in Class 7, Division 2, Subdivision 2 of the Canada Explosives Act and Regulations, and includes Fire Crackers and Roman Candles"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit:** Only for a public display, with the Chief Administrative Officer's written permission. Apply on the City's Fireworks Permit Application: the applicant must supervise the fireworks and the property owner must consent. Fee $25; no charge for non-profit societies.
  - Source: [Fireworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3116, 2014, s. 3.3](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37463)
  - Official wording: "fireworks may be sold to and discharged by a person or organization conducting a public display with the written permission of the Chief Administrative Officer of the City of Duncan."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, Schedule (L) Fireworks Permits](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386)
  - Official wording: "1. Non-Profit No Charge 2. Other $25.00"
  - Source: [Fireworks Permit Application](https://duncan.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Fireworks-Application.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Applicant must be the person supervising the setting off or exploding of the fireworks." … "Name and signature of property owner, indicating consent for the setting off or exploding of fireworks"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: unlawful discharge or unlawful sale/disposal $100 ($75 if paid within 14 days, $125 after 28 days). Municipal ticket: unlawful discharge $1,000. In a park, discharge is $200 ($150 early, $250 late) by bylaw notice and $1,000 by municipal ticket.
  - Source: [Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3200 (PDF, consolidated June 8, 2026), Schedule A, Fireworks Regulation Bylaw s. 3.1, 3.2; Parks Bylaw s. 3.1(f)](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181059)
  - Official wording: "Unlawful Sale or disposal of fireworks $100.00 $75.00 $125.00 NO" … "Unlawful Discharge of fireworks in City $100.00 $75.00 $125.00 NO" … "Unlawfully discharge fireworks or other explosive $200.00 $150.00 $250.00 NO"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 3189, 2018, Schedule B, Fireworks Regulation Bylaw s. 3.2; Parks Bylaw s. 3.1(f)](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37465/)
  - Official wording: "Unlawful discharge of fireworks in City 3.2 $1,000.00" … "Unlawfully discharge fireworks or other explosive"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Fireworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3116, 2014
  - Source: [Fireworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3116, 2014, s. 1 (Title)](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37463)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as the “Fireworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3116, 2014.”"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Fireworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3116](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37463), setting off fireworks anywhere in the City of Duncan, and selling or disposing of them, is banned. "Fireworks" means high-hazard fireworks used for recreation, including firecrackers and roman candles. The bylaw does not mention sparklers or other lower-hazard items by name. There is no Halloween or holiday exception.

## Steps

1. For a public display only, fill in the Fireworks Permit Application. The applicant must supervise the fireworks, and the property owner must consent.
2. Submit it to City Hall and pay the $25 fee (non-profit societies pay nothing).
3. The Chief Administrative Officer reviews it, with copies to the Fire Chief and RCMP. The form says completing it does not guarantee approval.

## Good to know

- Fireworks are also banned in City parks unless the City authorizes them in writing.
- Bylaw notice ([Bylaw No. 3200](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181059)): $100 for unlawful discharge or unlawful sale or disposal ($75 if paid within 14 days, $125 after 28 days). In a park, discharge is $200 ($150 early, $250 late).
- Municipal ticket ([Bylaw No. 3189](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37465/)): $1,000 for unlawful discharge, including in a park.
- The court fine under the bylaw is $100 to $10,000.
- For emergencies call 9-1-1.

## What you'll need

- Completed Fireworks Permit Application, from the person who will supervise the fireworks
- Property owner's consent

## Official forms and pages

- [Fireworks Permit Application (PDF)](https://duncan.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Fireworks-Application.pdf)
- [Fireworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3116, 2014 (PDF)](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37463)

## Related questions

- [Duncan backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/backyard-fire.md)
- [Duncan bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/bylaw-fines.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Fireworks rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fireworks.md)
- [North Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/fireworks.md)
- [Ladysmith](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/fireworks.md)
- [North Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/fireworks.md)
- [Lake Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/fireworks.md)
- [Sidney](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/fireworks.md)
- [Central Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/fireworks.md)

## Sources

- [Fireworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3116, 2014 (PDF), City of Duncan](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37463) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fireworks Permit Application (PDF), City of Duncan](https://duncan.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Fireworks-Application.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212 (PDF), City of Duncan](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3200 (PDF, consolidated June 8, 2026), City of Duncan](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181059) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 3189, 2018 (PDF), City of Duncan](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37465/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Parks and Public Open Spaces Bylaw No. 3165 (PDF), City of Duncan](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/87490) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Duncan. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/fireworks/_