Osoyoos fireworks rules

Are fireworks allowed in Osoyoos?

Osoyoos, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

In Osoyoos, no. Setting off or selling fireworks or firecrackers is banned unless permitted. Permits are only for a Special Public Event, apply in daylight only, and cost $50. Fines start at $500 for discharging without a permit.

Key facts

Setting off fireworks	No, not without a permit. Discharging fireworks or firecrackers in the Town is banned unless permitted under the bylaw. Permits are only for a Special Public Event, and are limited to daytime: not between sunset and sunrise, not on Sundays, not within 300 feet of a school on school days from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and not within 300 feet of a church during a service.Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1277, 2011, s. 7.1, 7.2, 7.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No person shall blast, discharge or sell dynamite, gun-powder, fireworks, firecrackers or other explosives within the limits of the Town unless permitted by and carried out in accordance with only for the purpose of the observance or celebration of a Special Public Event blasting or discharge shall not be carried on between the time of sunset on any day blasting or discharge shall not be carried on during Sundays
Selling fireworks	Selling fireworks or firecrackers in the Town is banned unless permitted under the bylaw. The permits the bylaw describes are for discharging fireworks at a Special Public Event and for blasting.Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1277, 2011, s. 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No person shall blast, discharge or sell dynamite, gun-powder, fireworks, firecrackers or other The CAO may issue a permit to a person 18 years of age or older or to an incorporated company
What counts as fireworks	Fireworks are consumer fireworks (Class 7, Division 2, Subdivision 1) and display fireworks (Subdivision 2) as defined under the federal Explosives Regulations. Firecrackers are devices that explode instantly with no display effect; the ban also covers dynamite, gunpowder and other explosives.Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1277, 2011, Schedule A definitions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Fireworks are as defined by Explosive Regulations, C.R.C., c. 599 under the Explosives Act RSC 1985, Firecracker means a pyrotechnic device that explodes instantaneously when ignited and does not make any display or visible effect after the explosion
Permit	The CAO may issue a permit to someone 18 or older, or an incorporated company or society, only for a Special Public Event. Apply on the Schedule B form at least 30 days ahead with a display plan, a $50 fee and $5,000,000 liability insurance naming the Town. The Canada Day event sanctioned by the Town is exempt from the fee.Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1277, 2011, s. 7.2, 7.4, 7.5(s), 7.8; Schedule B · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording must be submitted to the CAO at least 30 days prior to the date on which the Special Public s) a permit application fee of $50.00. The blasting or discharge of fireworks for the Canada Day (July 1) celebrations sanctioned inclusive limit of not less than $5,000,000.00 per occurrence for bodily injury and
Fine	Discharging explosives or fireworks without a permit: $500 on a bylaw notice ($450 if paid within 14 days) and $500 on a municipal ticket. Breaking permit conditions: bylaw notice $500 for after-sunset or school-hours discharge and $100 for Sunday or near a church; municipal ticket $100 ($80 within 30 days) for each.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1392, 2025, Schedule A, Good Neighbour; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1279, 2011, Schedule 10 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 7.1 Discharge explosives/fireworks $500 $450 $500 No without permit 7.7 (c) Blasting on Sunday $100 $80 $110 No Discharge explosives/fireworks without permit 7.1 $500 $500 Blasting on Sunday 7.7 c) $100 $80
Bylaw	Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1277, 2011Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1277, 2011, s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording This Bylaw may be citied as “Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1277, 2011.”

How it works

The Town of Osoyoos's Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1277 bans discharging fireworks or firecrackers in the Town unless permitted under the bylaw. Selling them is banned too. "Sell" includes offering for sale, giving, donating or possessing for sale. The bylaw describes no permit for sales.

Fireworks means consumer and display fireworks as defined under the federal Explosives Regulations. Firecrackers are devices that explode instantly with no display effect. The ban also covers dynamite, gunpowder and other explosives. Sparklers are not mentioned.

Permits

Permits are only for a Special Public Event. The CAO may issue one to someone 18 or older, or an incorporated company or society.

Apply on the bylaw's Schedule B form at least 30 days ahead, with a display plan and a $50 fee.
Provide $5,000,000 liability insurance naming the Town. Evidence is due 21 days before the event.
Be authorized by Natural Resources Canada for the class of fireworks and use a licensed fireworks supervisor.

The Canada Day (July 1) event sanctioned by the Town is exempt from the fee.

Permit conditions

Unless the permit says otherwise, discharge is not allowed between sunset and sunrise, on Sundays, within 300 feet of a school on school days from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or within 300 feet of a church during a service.

Good to know

Discharging explosives or fireworks without a permit: $500 on a bylaw notice ($450 if paid within 14 days) and $500 on a municipal ticket.
Breaking permit conditions: bylaw notice $500 for after-sunset or school-hours discharge and $100 for Sunday or near a church; municipal ticket $100 ($80 within 30 days) for each.
Report fireworks to Bylaw Enforcement at 250-495-6515.