Richmond fireworks rules
Are fireworks allowed in Richmond?
Short answer
No. In the City of Richmond, Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw 8306 bans the public from buying, selling or possessing fireworks, and from setting them off, all year including Halloween and New Year's Eve. Only licensed professionals with a display permit may set them off.
Key facts
| Setting off fireworks | No. Residents may not possess fireworks, and may not ignite, explode, set off or detonate them except under a display permit (granted to licensed professionals). They also may not be set off in a way that endangers or creates a nuisance to people or property, and only with the property owner's written consent. This applies all year, including Halloween, Canada Day and New Year's Eve.Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw 8306, section 9.14, s. 9.14.2-9.14.4; Frequently Asked Questions, Richmond Fire-Rescue, FAQ 01 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA person must not possess fireworks except as permitted under a display except in accordance with the terms of a display permit; in such a manner as may endanger or create a nuisance to any with the written consent of the owner or the agent for the owner of such This restriction applies throughout the year, including Halloween, Canada Day and New Year's Eve. |
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| Selling fireworks | No. A person must not purchase, sell, display for sale, offer for sale, give, dispose of or distribute fireworks to any person.Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw 8306, section 9.14, s. 9.14.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA person must not purchase, sell, display for the purpose of sale, offer for sale, give, dispose of or distribute fireworks to any person. |
| What counts as fireworks | 'Fireworks' includes any article with a combustible or explosive composition prepared for a pyrotechnical display or an explosion, including barrages, batteries, bottle rockets, cannon crackers, fireballs, firecrackers, mines, pinwheels, roman candles, skyrockets, squibs and torpedoes. Richmond Fire-Rescue says sparklers are also fireworks.Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw 8306, section 9.14, s. 2.3 Definitions; Frequently Asked Questions, Richmond Fire-Rescue, FAQ 01 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingmeans any article containing a combustible or explosive composition or any barrages, batteries, bottle rockets, cannon crackers, fireballs, firecrackers, mines, pinwheels, roman candles, Sparklers are also fireworks. |
| Permit | A display permit from the Fire Chief (Richmond Fire-Rescue) authorizes setting off fireworks. Applicant must be at least 18 and submit an application, an indemnity agreement, the fee ($145), the property owner's authorization if not the owner, proof of at least $5,000,000 liability insurance naming the City, and a Fireworks Supervisor or Pyrotechnician certificate from Natural Resources Canada. Only licensed fireworks display supervisors or senior pyrotechnicians may conduct displays. Apply at least 10 business days ahead.Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw 8306, section 9.14, s. 9.14.5-9.14.6; Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636, Fire Protection and Life Safety schedule, Schedule - Fire Protection and Life Safety; Permits, Richmond Fire-Rescue, Fireworks and Special-Effects Permits · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingTo obtain a display permit, the applicant must be at least 18 years of age an indemnity agreement; has a coverage limit of not less than $5,000,000 per occurrence; proof of Fireworks Supervisor or Pyrotechnician certification issued to Display permit application fee, fireworks 9.14.6 $145.00 may only be conducted by an appropriately licensed Fireworks Display Supervisor or Senior Submit a complete application at least 10 business days before |
| Fine | Bylaw notice (Bylaw 8122 Schedule A): $200 for possessing fireworks without a display permit ($150 if paid within 28 days; $250 if paid after 60 days); $400 for igniting fireworks without a display permit, contrary to its terms, in a way that endangers or causes a nuisance, or without the owner's permission ($300 early; $500 late). Municipal ticket (Bylaw 7321 Schedule B7): $1,000 for purchasing, selling or distributing fireworks, or displaying them for sale.Notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw 8122, Schedule A, Schedule A - Fire Protection Bylaw 8306; Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw 7321, Schedule B7, Schedule B 7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingPossession of fireworks without a plan 9.14.2 No $ 200.00 $ 150.00 $ 250.00 n/a Ignition of fireworks without a display permit 9.14.3 No $ 400.00 $ 300.00 $ 500.00 n/a Ignition of fireworks without property owner’s 9.14.4 No $ 400.00 $ 300.00 $ 500.00 n/a Purchasing of fireworks 9.14.1 $1,000 Sell or distribute fireworks 9.14.1 $1,000 Displaying fireworks for the purpose of sale 9.14.1 $1,000 |
| Bylaw | Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw No. 8306 (s. 9.14, Fireworks Regulation).Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw 8306, section 9.14, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingFIRE PROTECTION and LIFE SAFETY BYLAW NO. 8306 |
How it works
Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw 8306 (section 9.14) bans residents from possessing fireworks, and from igniting or setting them off except under a display permit, which goes to licensed professionals. Nobody may buy, sell, display for sale, offer for sale, give, dispose of or distribute fireworks. This applies all year, including Halloween, Canada Day and New Year's Eve. Fireworks also may not be set off in a way that endangers people or property or creates a nuisance, and only with the property owner's written consent.
Fireworks include barrages, batteries, bottle rockets, firecrackers, Roman candles, skyrockets and similar items. Richmond Fire-Rescue says sparklers are also fireworks.
Steps
- For a professional display, apply to Richmond Fire-Rescue for a display permit at least 10 business days ahead.
- The applicant must be at least 18 and submit an application, an indemnity agreement, the $145 fee, the property owner's authorization if not the owner, proof of at least $5,000,000 liability insurance naming the City, and a Fireworks Supervisor or Pyrotechnician certificate from Natural Resources Canada.
- Only licensed fireworks display supervisors or senior pyrotechnicians may conduct displays.
Good to know
- The Fire-Rescue FAQ says to submit a complete application a minimum of two weeks ahead, while the permits page and bylaw say 10 business days. Confirm with Fire-Rescue at 604-278-5131.
- The application fee is non-refundable if the permit is denied.
- Bylaw notices: $200 for possessing fireworks without a display permit ($150 if paid within 28 days, $250 after 60 days). $400 for igniting them without a permit, in a way that endangers or causes a nuisance, or without the owner's permission ($300 early, $500 late).
- A municipal ticket is $1,000 for buying, selling or distributing fireworks, or displaying them for sale.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Vancouver · Burnaby · North Vancouver · New Westminster · Delta · District of North Vancouver
Sources
- Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw 8306, section 9.14 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Frequently Asked Questions, Richmond Fire-Rescue (read 2026-11-05)
- Permits, Richmond Fire-Rescue (read 2026-11-05)
- Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636, Fire Protection and Life Safety schedule (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw 8122, Schedule A (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw 7321, Schedule B7 (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.