Victoria fireworks rules

Are fireworks allowed?

Victoria, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

Only with a permit. Under Victoria's Fireworks Bylaw 07-070, nobody may fire fireworks without a permit from the Fire Chief, and the bylaw sets no dates or hours for residents. Possessing them also needs a permit, and only wholesalers may sell them. The fine is $400.

Key facts

Setting off fireworks	Only with a permit. A person may fire or discharge fireworks only if authorized by a permit; the bylaw sets no dates or hours for residents. Possessing fireworks also needs a current permit unless the person is a wholesaler.Fireworks Bylaw 07-070 (consolidated to March 1, 2015), ss. 8, 9 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording A person may fire or discharge fireworks only if that is authorized by a permit. A person who is not a wholesaler must not possess fireworks without a current permit.
Selling fireworks	Only wholesalers may offer for sale, sell, give or trade fireworks. A wholesaler is a permit holder in bulk sales under a City business licence; retail sale to the general public is excluded from that definition.Fireworks Bylaw 07-070 (consolidated to March 1, 2015), ss. 2, 7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording A person who is not a wholesaler must not offer for sale, sell, give, or trade fireworks. does not include a person engaged in the retail sale of fireworks to the general public.
What counts as fireworks	"Fireworks" means Class 7 fireworks under the Explosives Regulation (Canada). It does not include sparklers, Christmas crackers, caps for toy guns, model rocket engines, or highway flares and small distress signals.Fireworks Bylaw 07-070 (consolidated to March 1, 2015), s. 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording means the "Class 7" fireworks in the Explosives Regulation (Canada) or its successor regulation; does not include sparklers, Christmas crackers, caps for toy guns, model
Permit	The Fire Chief may grant or refuse a permit. Apply at least 14 days before the event with proof of a Fireworks Supervisor Certificate, $5 million liability insurance, and a site plan. Fee $100 per event; no fee for City-sponsored events or events by local not-for-profit community associations. Site re-inspection $100.Fireworks Bylaw 07-070 (consolidated to March 1, 2015), ss. 4, Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording be submitted to the Fire Chief at least 14 days before the date of the event for which the permit is required; include proof of a valid Fireworks Supervisor Certificate; Permit $100 per event -events sponsored by the City no fee Site re-inspection $100
Fine	Bylaw notice (Bylaw 16-017): $400 for possessing or firing fireworks without a permit (ss. 8, 9), $300 within 14 days; $500 for selling without a permit (s. 7). Municipal ticket (Bylaw 10-071): $400 ($350 within 30 days); selling $750. Court penalty $200 to $10,000 (s. 12).Sources differ: Under Bylaw 16-017 Schedule P the sale offence (s. 7) is $500 (not $750), and the $400 offences are $100 off within 14 days. The bylaw also sets a $200 minimum and $10,000 maximum penalty on conviction (s. 12) and an incident service fee of $500 per hour per unit (minimum 3 hours) if misuse causes a fire department call.Ticket Bylaw 10-071 (consolidated June 18, 2026), Schedule R; Bylaw Notice Adjudication Bylaw 16-017, Schedule B, Schedule P · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Possess fireworks 8 $400.00 $350.00 Fire/discharge 9 $400.00 $350.00 Offer for 7 $750.00 $750.00 8 Possess fireworks without permit $400.00 $100.00 $100.00 Offer for sale/sell/give/trade Possess fireworks without permit $400.00 $100.00 $100.00
Bylaw	Fireworks Bylaw No. 07-070Fireworks Bylaw 07-070 (consolidated to March 1, 2015), Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording FIREWORKS BYLAW BYLAW NO. 07-070 This consolidation is a copy of a bylaw consolidated under the authority of

How it works

Under the Fireworks Bylaw 07-070, a person may fire or discharge fireworks only if authorized by a permit. The bylaw sets no dates or hours for residents. Possessing fireworks also needs a current permit unless the person is a wholesaler. Only wholesalers (permit holders in bulk sales under a City business licence) may offer for sale, sell, give or trade fireworks.

"Fireworks" means Class 7 fireworks under the federal Explosives Regulation. It does not include sparklers, Christmas crackers, caps for toy guns, model rocket engines, or highway flares and small distress signals.

Steps

Apply to the Fire Chief at least 14 days before the event. The Fire Chief may grant or refuse a permit.
Include proof of a Fireworks Supervisor Certificate, $5 million liability insurance, and a site plan.
Pay the fee of $100 per event. There is no fee for City-sponsored events or events by local not-for-profit community associations. A site re-inspection is $100.

Good to know

Possessing or firing fireworks without a permit: a bylaw notice (Bylaw 16-017) is $400 ($300 if paid within 14 days); a municipal ticket (Bylaw 10-071) is $400 ($350 if paid within 30 days).
Selling without a permit: a bylaw notice is $500; a municipal ticket is $750. The two schedules differ here, so confirm with the City.
The court penalty is $200 to $10,000.
If misuse brings out the fire department, the bylaw also sets an incident service fee of $500 per hour per unit, with a three-hour minimum.