The Fireworks Safety Act of 2012 made the sale, use, and possession of “consumer fireworks” legal in Michigan. Consumer fireworks are fireworks that are designed to produce visible and/or audible effects by combustion, such as firecrackers, Roman candles, and bottle rockets. Photos of Legal Fireworks in Michigan (pdf). Read more.
2018 Amendments Authorizing More Local Government Control
A local unit of government may enact an ordinance regulating the ignition, discharge, and use of consumer fireworks, including, but not limited to, an ordinance prescribing the hours of the day or night during which a person may ignite, discharge, or use consumer fireworks. If a local unit of government enacts an ordinance under this subsection, the ordinance shall not regulate the ignition, discharge, or use of consumer fireworks on the following days after 11 a.m.:
(a) December 31 until 1 a.m. on January 1.
(b) The Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding Memorial Day until 11:45 p.m. on each of those days.
(c) June 29 to July 4 until 11:45 p.m. on each of those days.
(d) July 5, if that date is a Friday or Saturday, until 11:45 p.m.
(e) The Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding Labor Day until 11:45 p.m. on each of those days.
An ordinance shall impose a civil fine of $1,000 for each violation of the ordinance and no other fine or sanction. The ordinance must provide for the remittance of $500 of the fine collected under the ordinance to the local law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing the ordinance.
Display Fireworks
Cities, villages, and townships are responsible, under Michigan law, for issuing permits for “display fireworks” (for example, a Fourth of July fireworks show) and “articles pyrotechnic” (for example, professional displays during concerts or shows, especially with a “proximate” audience). Fireworks application and permit forms are provided only to the city, village, or township (the local permitting authority), and are available only from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) Bureau of Fire Services at (517) 241-0691
Resources:
Fireworks Q&A May/June 2012 The Review
Michigan Fireworks Safety Act (with 2018 amendments)
Sample ordinances:
We will post ordinances incorporating the 2018 amendments as they are passed by municipalities
Saint Clair, HRC, (5,485) 2019 ordinance
Spring Lake, HRC, (pop. 2,323) 2019 ordinance
Websites:
Michigan Fireworks Information Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs(LARA) website.
ATF Fireworks Safety and Security Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives(ATF) web portal.
National Fire Protection Association Codes (NFPA website).