MICHIGAN, USA — While you may have some leftover bottle rockets from your July Fourth celebrations, you may want to check with your local government before firing them off.
Michigan law allows fireworks from June 29 until July 4 for the Fourth of July holiday. This law overrides any local ordinances that may be in place, meaning that Michiganders can light fireworks during that time frame even if their local government restricts fireworks.
However, after 11:45 p.m. on the Fourth of July, the legality of fireworks falls on local ordinances, if any are in place.
Those breaking the rules could face a $1,000 fine.
Here are the number of fireworks calls or complaints that dispatchers in Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon counties fielded between 11:45 p.m. on July 4 through 5 a.m. July 5:
- Kent County – 32 calls
- Ottawa County – 11 calls
- Muskegon County – 17 calls
At the end of 2018, the state of Michigan established new fireworks laws to give local communities the option to lower the number of days when fireworks can be set off.
The laws limited the number of days residents can set off fireworks from 30 to 11 or 12, depending on what day of the week July 5 falls on.
Other times fireworks can be used include:
- 11 a.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1
- 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. on the Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding Memorial Day
- 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. June 29 to July 4
- 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. July 5, if that date is a Friday or Saturday
- 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. on the Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding Labor Day
State law also says it's illegal to light fireworks on a public street, public sidewalk, park, church, school or public rights of way.
It's also illegal to discharge fireworks when you're intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.
When fire-related illegal fireworks result in property damage, injury, or death of another person, those responsible could face a misdemeanor or felony that is punishable by five years in prison and fines of up to $10,000 or both.
You need to be 18 years or older to buy fireworks in Michigan.
Learn more about fireworks laws in Michigan here.
Editor's note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated fireworks were illegal outside of the dates mentioned in Michigan law. Municipalities can restrict dates and times fireworks can be set off, however, Michigan law supersedes those local ordinances during those set holiday windows. Outside of those dates, the legality of when you can set fireworks off is determined by your local ordinance.
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