---
title: Squamish fireworks rules
question: "Are fireworks allowed in Squamish?"
place: Squamish, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/squamish
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Squamish
sources_read: 2026-11-09
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/fireworks/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/fireworks.json"
---

# Squamish fireworks rules

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

**Short answer:** Squamish bans the sale, possession and discharge of consumer fireworks. The District no longer issues consumer fireworks permits.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Squamish, https://squamish.ca)  
**How long:** Apply for a professional display permit at least 30 days before the event.  

## Key facts

- **Setting off fireworks:** Squamish bans the sale, possession and discharge of consumer fireworks.
  - Source: [Types of Fire Permits, Fireworks Permits](https://squamish.ca/public-safety-services/fire-rescue/fire-permits/)
  - Official wording: "Fireworks permits will no longer be issued. In response to increased public safety concerns, District of Squamish Council has adopted a bylaw to ban the sale, possession and discharge of consumer fireworks within District of Squamish boundaries. The ban applies to all consumer fireworks including roman candles, bottle rockets and other consumer grade fireworks. Selling, purchasing, possession or discharging fireworks is not permitted at any time."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Selling fireworks:** Selling consumer fireworks is prohibited.
  - Source: [Types of Fire Permits, Fireworks Permits](https://squamish.ca/public-safety-services/fire-rescue/fire-permits/)
  - Official wording: "Fireworks permits will no longer be issued. In response to increased public safety concerns, District of Squamish Council has adopted a bylaw to ban the sale, possession and discharge of consumer fireworks within District of Squamish boundaries. The ban applies to all consumer fireworks including roman candles, bottle rockets and other consumer grade fireworks. Selling, purchasing, possession or discharging fireworks is not permitted at any time."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **What counts as fireworks:** Examples include firecrackers, Roman candles, skyrockets and mines. Professional special-effects pyrotechnics are covered separately.
  - Source: [Fire Service Bylaw No. 2314, 2014, Definitions, fireworks and special effects fireworks](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/118984/)
  - Official wording: "Fireworks includes cannon crackers, fireballs, firecrackers, mines, roman candles, skyrockets, squibs, torpedoes and any other explosive device, including without limitation any firework identified or prescribed under the Fireworks Act of British Columbia and Canada Explosives Act and Regulations. (As amended by Bylaw No. 3187, 2025)" … "Special Effects Fireworks are high-hazard pyrotechnics articles designed for use by professionals. These articles include items such as gerbs, mines, comets and crossettes. This class also includes special purpose pyrotechnics manufactured live stage and the film and television industry"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Permit:** For display fireworks or special-effects pyrotechnics, provide proof of a current federal Fireworks Supervisor’s Certificate and apply to the Fire Chief at least 30 days before the event. Consumer fireworks are prohibited.
  - Source: [Fire Service Bylaw No. 2314, 2014, Sections 13.6–13.7, display and special-effects permits](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/118984/)
  - Official wording: "13.6 A permit is required to discharge Display Fireworks and/or Special Effects Pyrotechnics, the applicant shall provide the Fire Chief with proof of a valid Fireworks Supervisor’s Certificate issued by Natural Resources Canada. (amended as per Bylaw No. 3187, 2025) 13.7 Every person making application for a Permit to discharge Display Fireworks and/or Special Effects Pyrotechnics shall: a) Submit an application for a permit to the Fire Chief at least 30 days before the date of the event. (amended as per Bylaw No. 3187, 2025) b) pay the permit fee prescribed in prescribed in Schedule “9” of the District’s “Fees"
  - Source: [Types of Fire Permits, Fireworks Permits](https://squamish.ca/public-safety-services/fire-rescue/fire-permits/)
  - Official wording: "Fireworks permits will no longer be issued. In response to increased public safety concerns, District of Squamish Council has adopted a bylaw to ban the sale, possession and discharge of consumer fireworks within District of Squamish boundaries. The ban applies to all consumer fireworks including roman candles, bottle rockets and other consumer grade fireworks. Selling, purchasing, possession or discharging fireworks is not permitted at any time."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Fine:** Discharging fireworks carries a $300 notice ($270 within 14 days, $330 after 28 days). A commercial display or special effects without a permit carries $500 ($450 early, $550 late).
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2418, 2015, Section 5 and Fire Service schedule, sections 13.1, 13.2 and 13.6](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/200801)
  - Official wording: "(b) if received by the District within fourteen (14) days of the person receiving or being presumed to have received the bylaw notice, the discounted penalty set out in Column 2 opposite the contravention; (c) if more than twenty-eight (28) days after the person received or is presumed to have received the bylaw notice, the late penalty set out in Column 3 opposite the contravention; or" … "13.1 Fireworks – possession, $500 $450 $550 No storage, distribution or sale 13.2 Discharge of fireworks $300 $270 $330 No 13.6 Discharge of Commercial $500 $450 $550 No Display fireworks and/or Special Effects Pyrotechnics without a permit."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Bylaw:** District of Squamish Fire Service Bylaw No. 2314, 2014, as amended by No. 3187, 2025.
  - Source: [Fire Service Bylaw No. 2314, 2014, Sections 1.1 and 13.1–13.2](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/118984/)
  - Official wording: "1.1 This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the “District of Squamish Fire Service Bylaw No. 2314, 2014”." … "Fireworks Restrictions (as amended by Bylaw No. 3187, 2025) 13.1 No person may offer for sale, sell, give, possess or trade Fireworks within the boundaries of the District. 13.2 No person may fire or discharge Fireworks within the boundaries of the District, with exception if authorized under Section 13.6 of this bylaw. The use or discharge of consumer grade fireworks is strictly prohibited."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09

## How it works

For a house party or neighbourhood celebration in Squamish, plan an activity that does not involve setting off consumer fireworks. The local guidance applies to the person using them, even if they were purchased somewhere else. For display fireworks or special-effects pyrotechnics, provide proof of a current federal Fireworks Supervisor’s Certificate and apply to the Fire Chief at least 30 days before the event. Consumer fireworks are prohibited.

## Steps

1. Check the local guidance in [Types of Fire Permits](https://squamish.ca/public-safety-services/fire-rescue/fire-permits/). Check the published fire-safety guidance before making arrangements for an event. If a professional display is proposed, describe the organizer, operator and location to the fire department.
2. For an advertised public display, use the event information to verify who is putting it on. A spectator attending a display and a resident wishing to set off fireworks are in different situations.

## Good to know

- Selling consumer fireworks is prohibited.
- Discharging fireworks carries a $300 notice ($270 within 14 days, $330 after 28 days). A commercial display or special effects without a permit carries $500 ($450 early, $550 late).
- Examples include firecrackers, Roman candles, skyrockets and mines. Professional special-effects pyrotechnics are covered separately.
- Keep purchases and event planning separate until you know what the local rules allow. Ask the fire department directly about a proposed professional display.
- Read the applicable provisions in [Fire Service Bylaw No. 2314, 2014 (PDF)](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/118984/) and [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2418, 2015 (PDF)](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/200801).

## What you'll need

- Proof of a current Fireworks Supervisor’s Certificate issued by Natural Resources Canada.

## Related questions

- [Squamish backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/backyard-fire.md)
- [Squamish yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/yard-waste.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Fireworks rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fireworks.md)
- [Lions Bay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/fireworks.md)
- [Bowen Island](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/fireworks.md)
- [West Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/fireworks.md)
- [Gibsons](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/fireworks.md)
- [District of North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/fireworks.md)
- [North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/fireworks.md)

## Sources

- [Types of Fire Permits](https://squamish.ca/public-safety-services/fire-rescue/fire-permits/) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Fire Service Bylaw No. 2314, 2014 (PDF)](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/118984/) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2418, 2015 (PDF)](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/200801) (read 2026-11-09)

_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 District of Squamish. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/fireworks/_