Powell River fireworks rules

Are fireworks allowed?

Powell River, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

In Powell River, anyone over 18 may set off low-hazard fireworks on private property with the owner's consent, only between 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on October 31. Firecrackers are banned. Other displays need a Special Use Fireworks Permit from the Fire Chief. Confirm the current bylaw with the City.

Key facts

Setting off fireworks	Anyone over 18 may set off low-hazard fireworks only between 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on October 31 each year, safely, on private property with the owner's consent. On a highway, street, park, playground, school ground or other public place a permit is required. Firecrackers cannot be exploded or possessed at all. No one under 18 may possess fireworks. Fireworks may not be aimed at any person, animal, building, vehicle, tree or bush.Fireworks Regulation Bylaw 2359, 2013, ss. 12-16 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Any person over 18 may set off or explode low-hazard fireworks between the hours of 4:00 pm and 11:00 pm on October 31 of each year provided that the fireworks are set off No person shall explode, discharge or possess a firecracker within the City. without first obtaining a No person under the age of 18 shall possess any fireworks within the City.
Selling fireworks	Only low-hazard fireworks may be sold, only to people over 18, only by a holder of a City business licence, and only between October 24 and October 31 each year. Selling firecrackers or high-hazard fireworks is banned. Selling any fireworks to someone under 18 (or who appears under 18) is banned.Fireworks Regulation Bylaw 2359, 2013, ss. 3-5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No person shall sell or dispose of firecrackers or high-hazard fireworks within the City. by obtaining and holding a valid and subsisting business licence under Business during the period October 24 and October 31 of each year; to a person over eighteen years of age;
What counts as fireworks	"Low-hazard" fireworks are those the federal regulations classify that way, such as fireworks showers, fountains, golden rain, lawn lights, pin wheels, Roman candles and volcanoes; sparklers, Christmas crackers and caps for toy guns are excluded. "High-hazard" fireworks include rockets, shells, large wheels, barrages, batteries and firecrackers. A firecracker is a small paper cylinder with entwined fuses that makes a bang.Fireworks Regulation Bylaw 2359, 2013, s. 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording and includes, but is not limited to, fireworks showers, but excludes sparklers, Christmas crackers, and caps for toy guns; “firecracker” means a small paper cylinder with entwined fuses, used solely as noise includes, but is not limited to, rockets, serpents, shells, bomb shells
Permit	A person or organization wanting to set off fireworks for a special event, festival or theatrical performance must apply in writing to the Fire Chief for a Special Use Fireworks Permit at least 14 days before the event. Conditions include the property owner's written consent, third-party liability insurance naming the City, and a certified Fireworks Supervisor.Fireworks Regulation Bylaw 2359, 2013, ss. 6-8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording wishing to possess and explode fireworks to observe or celebrate a special event, festival, or theatrical performance must, at least fourteen days the sponsor of the fireworks display must appoint a Fireworks Supervisor
Fine	Municipal ticket (the bylaw's own Schedule B): $300 for selling to someone under 18, selling firecrackers or high-hazard fireworks, unlawful sale of low-hazard fireworks, unlawful possession, firecrackers, no special use permit, fireworks in a public place without a permit, and low-hazard fireworks outside the permitted time. Bylaw notice amounts differ by offence, for example $100 outside the permitted time (s. 16), $200 for a firecracker or fireworks in a public place without a permit (ss. 13, 14), $250 for selling to someone under 18 and $300 for selling firecrackers or high-hazard fireworks.Fireworks Regulation Bylaw 2359, 2013, Sch. B; Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2818, 2026, App. 7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Explosion of low hazard fireworks outside of permitted time 16 $300.00 Unlawful explosion of fireworks in a public place 14 $300.00 3 Selling or disposing of fireworks $250 $30 $30 4 Selling/disposing of firecrackers $300 $40 $40 16 Exploding low hazard fireworks $100 $20 $20 14 Discharging or exploding $200 $40 $40
Bylaw	Fireworks Regulation Bylaw 2359, 2013Fireworks Regulation Bylaw 2359, 2013, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Fireworks Regulation Bylaw 2359, 2013

How it works

Under the Fireworks Regulation Bylaw 2359, anyone over 18 may set off low-hazard fireworks only between 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on October 31 each year, safely, on private property with the owner's consent. The bylaw gives no other date for private use. The text we read is the 2013 version, and the City lists an October 2026 update, so confirm the current rules with the City.

Steps

Use only low-hazard fireworks: fountains, Roman candles, volcanoes, pin wheels and similar. Sparklers, Christmas crackers and caps for toy guns are excluded from the definition.
On a street, park, playground, school ground or other public place, you need a permit.
For a special event, festival or theatrical performance, apply in writing to the Fire Chief for a Special Use Fireworks Permit at least 14 days before. Conditions include the property owner's written consent, third-party liability insurance naming the City, and a certified Fireworks Supervisor. No permit fee is stated in the bylaw.

Good to know

Firecrackers cannot be exploded or possessed at all. "High-hazard" fireworks include rockets, shells, large wheels, barrages and batteries.
No one under 18 may possess fireworks. Do not aim fireworks at any person, animal, building, vehicle, tree or bush.
The property owner pays the City's firefighting costs if fireworks cause a fire.
Sale: only low-hazard fireworks, only to people over 18, only by a holder of a City business licence, and only between October 24 and October 31.
A municipal ticket under the bylaw's own schedule is $300 for most offences, including low-hazard fireworks outside the permitted time and firing in a public place without a permit.
Bylaw notice amounts differ by offence: $100 for firing outside the permitted time, $200 for a firecracker or fireworks in a public place without a permit, $250 for selling to someone under 18 and $300 for selling firecrackers or high-hazard fireworks. Discounts and surcharges vary by offence.
Check for fire bans or area restrictions before you light anything. See the backyard fire answer.