Public safety officials want to remind Bellingham residents and visitors that all consumer fireworks are prohibited in the City of Bellingham. This includes fountains, sparklers, smokeballs, and ground-spinning fireworks commonly referred to as “safe and sane” fireworks in addition to rockets, aerial missiles, roman candles and other projectile fireworks.
In 2014, the Bellingham City Council adopted an ordinance to ban all consumer fireworks within the City limits. Any person who violates the consumer fireworks ban will be subject to a civil infraction with a fine of up to $1,000. The minimum fine will be $250. Law enforcement and fire officials also have the authority to immediately seize fireworks that are located within the City.
Devices that some may refer to as “fireworks” are actually illegal explosive devices that cannot legally be possessed anywhere in the State of Washington. Examples of illegal explosives include M-80s, cherry bombs, and any improvised explosive device. Felony charges can be brought against people found guilty of possessing or discharging illegal explosives.
More details about current fireworks regulations are found in Bellingham Municipal Code 10.24.130, accessible via the City website at www.cob.org.
As in the past, education and enforcement activities are planned this year to ensure residents and visitors are aware of the consumer fireworks ban.
Long-standing public fireworks display and festival canceled for 2020
As announced in April, 2020, the annual community fireworks display held at the Bellingham waterfront has been canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions. This event, which was sponsored by Haggen Food & Pharmacy, Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Port of Bellingham, is one of many summer events that have been canceled throughout the region in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
