Washington: Are fireworks legal?
Washington allows consumer fireworks including small aerial devices, but bans firecrackers, bottle rockets, missiles, salutes and chasers.
State law defines consumer fireworks to include aerial devices with up to 130 mg of explosive, so items such as aerial cakes and Roman candles are legal. Sky rockets (bottle rockets), missile-type rockets, firecrackers, salutes and chasers may not be sold to the public. Use is allowed June 28 to July 5 and New Year's Eve at set hours. Many cities and counties ban fireworks; stricter local rules take effect one year after adoption.
Conditions
- No firecrackers, bottle rockets, missile-type rockets, salutes or chasers
- Use June 28 to July 5 and 6 p.m. December 31 to 1 a.m. January 1, at set hours
- Sales June 28 to July 5 and December 27-31
- Local bans common; stricter local rules start one year after adoption
What the law says
"Consumer fireworks" means any small firework device designed to produce visible effects by combustion and which must comply with the construction, chemical composition, and labeling regulations of the United States consumer product safety commission, as set forth in 16 C.F.R. Parts 1500 and 1507 and including some small devices designed to produce audible effects, such as whistling devices, ground devices containing 50 mg or less of explosive materials, and aerial devices containing 130 mg or less of explosive materials ... No fireworks may be sold or offered for sale to the public as consumer fireworks which are classified as sky rockets, or missile-type rockets, firecrackers, salutes, or chasers as defined by the United States department of transportation and the federal consumer products safety commission except as provided in RCW 70.77.311.
Sources
- RCW 70.77.136 Official · app.leg.wa.gov
- RCW 70.77.401 Official · app.leg.wa.gov
- RCW 70.77.395 Official · app.leg.wa.gov
- RCW 70.77.250 Official · app.leg.wa.gov
- Washington State Patrol, Fireworks Official · wsp.wa.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Washington State Patrol, Fire Protection Bureau (State Fire Marshal)
- Website
- wsp.wa.gov
How bordering states compare
- Idaho Sparklers and ground fireworks onlyIdaho allows only nonaerial fireworks such as fountains, sparklers and ground spinners; aerial fireworks and firecrackers require a local event permit.
- Oregon Sparklers and ground fireworks onlyOregon allows only ground fireworks like fountains and sparklers; anything that flies, explodes or travels over 12 feet needs a permit.
All 50 states for this question · Other topics in Washington