Sidney fireworks rules

Are fireworks allowed in Sidney?

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

Short answer

In Sidney you may not store, possess or set off fireworks without a Fireworks Permit from the Fire Chief. Permits are issued only for 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on October 31, or for a fireworks event on other dates. A Family Fireworks Permit is $10. Firecrackers are banned.

Key facts

Setting off fireworks	Residents may not store, possess or set off fireworks without a Fireworks Permit. The Fire Chief only issues permits for 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on October 31, or for a Fireworks Event on other dates. No fireworks within 200 m of a designated Environmentally Sensitive Area. Firecrackers are banned.Bylaw to Regulate Fireworks No. 1924, 2007, consolidated through Bylaw 2251, ss. 3.2, 3.5, 3.8, 5.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No person may store, hold, possess, fire, set-off or explode Fireworks without a Fireworks within 200 meters (buffer zone) of a designated Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) as outlined No person may store, hold, possess, fire, set-off or explode Firecrackers. between the hours of 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM on October 31st each year, or during a Fireworks Event, other than October 31st of each year.
Selling fireworks	No. No one may sell, offer to sell, trade or otherwise dispose of fireworks, entertainment industry pyrotechnics or firecrackers.Bylaw to Regulate Fireworks No. 1924, 2007, consolidated through Bylaw 2251, s. 3.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No person may sell, offer to sell, trade or otherwise dispose of Fireworks, Entertainment Industry Pyrotechnics or Firecrackers to any other person.
What counts as fireworks	Fireworks means Family Fireworks (low hazard recreational fireworks, excluding Christmas crackers, sparklers and caps for toy guns) and Display Fireworks (large public-display fireworks). Firecrackers are banned. Entertainment industry pyrotechnics need their own permit. Signal flares used by motorists, mariners or police are exempt.Bylaw to Regulate Fireworks No. 1924, 2007, consolidated through Bylaw 2251, s. 2; s. 4.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording “Family Fireworks” means low hazard fireworks generally used for recreation but excluding Christmas crackers, sparklers and caps for toy guns; “Fireworks” means Display Fireworks and Family Fireworks; “Firecrackers” means a small paper cylinder charged with an explosive used as a This Bylaw does not prohibit or regulate the use of torpedoes, flares, fuzzes or similar
Permit	Anyone 18 or older may apply to the Fire Chief at least 14 days before the event. Family Fireworks Permit $10; Display Fireworks Permit $75 (proof of certification required). A property owner's written agreement is needed if the land is not the applicant's. Apply at the Fire Department (250-656-2121, firedept@sidney.ca).Bylaw to Regulate Fireworks No. 1924, 2007, consolidated through Bylaw 2251, ss. 5.1, 5.2; Schedule E; Fire Services, Fireworks Permit · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Any person eighteen (18) years of age or older may apply for a Fireworks Permit to fire, set fourteen (14) days prior to the date upon which the Fireworks Event is to occur: Family Fireworks Permit $10.00 Display Fireworks Permit $75.00 Adults may apply for a Fireworks Permit for Family Fireworks or Display Fireworks by submitting an application to the Fire Chief for authorization. The $10.00 fee can be paid online, or through cash or cheque.
Fine	Bylaw notice: no permit $260 ($200 within 14 days; $315 after 28); selling $500 (no early or late amount); firecrackers $130 ($100; $160). Municipal ticket: $260 ($200 within 30 days); selling $650 ($500); firecrackers $130 ($100). The Fireworks Bylaw's Schedule G still shows older, lower amounts.Sources differ: Both ticket bylaws list these offences and the sale amount differs ($500 in the bylaw notice schedule; $650 in the municipal ticket schedule). The Fireworks bylaw's own Schedule G lists older amounts ($500 sale, $200 use without permit); the later ticket bylaws were used. The bylaw sets a court fine of $100 to $10,000 (s. 11.3).Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2239, Schedule C, Fireworks Regulation Bylaw No. 1924, ss. 3/1, 3/2, 3/7; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2180, Schedule 6, ss. 3/1, 3/2; Bylaw to Regulate Fireworks No. 1924, 2007, consolidated through Bylaw 2251, Schedule G · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Sale of 3/1 $500.00 N/A N/A Possession of 3/2 $260.00 $200.00 $315.00 Possession of 3/7 $130.00 $100.00 $160.00 Pyrotechnics or 3/1 $650.00 $500.00 3/2 $260.00 $200.00 Use of Fireworks Without Permit 3.2 $200.00 Sale of Fireworks, Pyrotechnics or 3.1 $500.00
Bylaw	Bylaw to Regulate Fireworks No. 1924, 2007Bylaw to Regulate Fireworks No. 1924, 2007, consolidated through Bylaw 2251, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the “Bylaw to Regulate Fireworks No. 1924, 2007”.

How it works

Under the Fireworks Bylaw No. 1924, residents may not store, possess or set off fireworks in Sidney without a Fireworks Permit. The Fire Chief only issues permits for 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on October 31, or for a fireworks event (a special event or festival) on other dates. No fireworks within 200 m of a designated Environmentally Sensitive Area. Firecrackers are banned.

Steps

Be 18 or older. Apply to the Fire Chief at least 14 days before the event, at the Fire Department (250-656-2121, firedept@sidney.ca).
Pay the fee: Family Fireworks Permit $10; Display Fireworks Permit $75 (proof of certification required).
If the land is not yours, get the property owner's written agreement.
Follow the permit's conditions on days, hours and location.

Good to know

Nobody may sell, offer to sell or trade fireworks, entertainment industry pyrotechnics or firecrackers in Sidney.
"Family Fireworks" means low-hazard recreational fireworks, excluding Christmas crackers, sparklers and caps for toy guns. Signal flares used by motorists, mariners or police are exempt.
The Fire Chief may refuse a permit if the property is unavailable or the event is a safety risk.
Fines, bylaw notice: no permit $260; selling $500 (no early or late amount); firecrackers $130 ($100 early, $160 late).
Fines, municipal ticket: no permit $260 ($200 within 30 days); selling $650 ($500); firecrackers $130 ($100).
The Fireworks Bylaw's own Schedule G still shows older, lower amounts. The ticket bylaw schedules are followed here; confirm the amount on your ticket.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

North Saanich · Central Saanich · Highlands · Saanich · View Royal · Langford

Fireworks rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Bylaw to Regulate Fireworks No. 1924, 2007 (PDF), consolidated through Bylaw 2251 (read 2026-11-06)
Fire Services, Town of Sidney (read 2026-11-06)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2239 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2180 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)

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