Fireworks

are any composition or device, in a finished state, containing any combustible or explosive substance for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or detonation, and classified as common or special fireworks by the United States Bureau of Explosives or continued in the regulations of the United States Department of Transportation and designated as U.N. 0335 1.3G or U.N. 0336 1.4G as of April 1975.

Fire Nuisance

means anything or any act which increases, or may cause an increase of, the hazard or menace of fire to a greater degree than customarily recognized as normal by persons in the public service of preventing, suppressing, or extinguishing fire; or which may obstruct, delay, or hinder, or may become the cause of any obstruction, delay, or a hindrance to the prevention or extinguishment of fire. (WAC 70.77.165)

Seizure of fireworks

Any fireworks which are illegally sold, offered for sale, used, discharged, possessed or transported in violation of the provisions of this chapter or the rules or regulations of the *director of community, trade, and economic development, through the director of fire protection, shall be subject to seizure by the *director of community, trade, and economic development through the director of fire protection, or his or her deputy, or by state agencies or local governments having general law enforcement authority. Any fireworks seized by legal process anywhere in the state may be disposed of by the *director of community, trade, and economic development, through the director of fire protection, or the agency conducting the seizure, by summary destruction at any time subsequent to thirty days from such seizure or ten days from the final termination of proceedings under the provisions of R.W. 70.77.440, whichever is later.

It is unlawful to possess any class or kind of fireworks in violation of this chapter. A violation of this section is:

A misdemeanor if involving less than one pound of fireworks, exclusive of external packaging; or

A gross misdemeanor if involving one pound or more of fireworks, exclusive of external packaging. "External packaging" means any materials that are not an integral part of the operative unit of fireworks.

Unlawful discharge or use of fireworks - penalty. It is unlawful for any person to discharge or use fireworks in a reckless manner which creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another person or damage to the property of another. A violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor.

Dates and times common fireworks may be sold or discharged. It is legal to sell and purchase consumer fireworks within this state from twelve o'clock noon to eleven o'clock p.m. on the twenty-eighth of June, from nine o'clock a.m. to eleven o'clock p.m. on each day from the twenty-ninth of June through the fourth of July, from nine o'clock a.m. to nine o'clock p.m. on the fifth of July, from twelve o'clock noon to eleven o'clock p.m. on each day from the twenty-seventh of December through the thirty-first of December of each year, and as provided in RCW 70.77.311.

Consumer fireworks may be used or discharged each day between the hours of twelve o'clock noon and eleven o'clock p.m. on the twenty-eighth of June and between the hours of nine o'clock a.m. and eleven o'clock p.m. on the twenty-ninth of June to the third of July, and on July 4th between the hours of nine o'clock a.m. and twelve o'clock midnight, and between the hours of nine o'clock a.m. and eleven o'clock p.m. on July 5th, and from six o'clock p.m. on December 31st until one o'clock a.m. on January 1st of the subsequent year, and as provided in RCW 70.77.311.

A city or county may enact an ordinance within sixty days of June 13, 2002, to limit or prohibit the sale, purchase, possession, or use of consumer fireworks on December 27, 2002, through December 31, 2002, and thereafter as provided in RCW 70.77.250(4).

Sale of certain fireworks prohibited

No fireworks may be sold or offered for sale to the public as common 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 R.C.W. 70.77.311.

Age Requirements. No one younger than 16 will be allowed to buy fireworks in Washington.

Identification required

Buyers will have to show picture identification, and each fireworks stand must post the age limit.

Penalties. Sales to underage buyers will be a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 in fines and six months in jail.

Fireworks Stands

Application Requirements

The following items are required in order to process and application for permit to locate a temporary fireworks stand in the unincorporated areas of Cowlitz County:

1. Fireworks Supplement (pdf)

3. Site plan (pdf) must be accurate - examples available

4. A signed statement from the property owner on 8½" x 11" paper granting permission to locate the fireworks stand on his property (if owner is different than applicant).

5. A valid Washington State Fireworks License.

6. A copy of insurance for the fireworks stand.

The application fee does not guarantee issuance of a permit

NOTE:

Fireworks Stand Applications will not be accepted after 5:30pm on June 1st (for the Fourth of July) and after 4:30 PM on November 17th (for New Year's Eve).

Applicants licensed for the Fourth of July and intending to set up a stand for the New Year's Eve selling period shall notify the Department of Building and Planning before the November deadline. The same information packet and inspections are required as for the Fourth of July selling period. No additional fee is required