By South County Fire and Snohomish County Government
Fireworks will be banned in the unincorporated areas served by South County Fire beginning in 2021.
Fireworks complaints, concerns
Our 911 call centers normally see an increase in firework-related complaints in the dates surrounding the Fourth of July.
Leave 911 open for emergencies.
For complaints related to noise or illegal fireworks, please call the Snohomish County non-emergency number at 425-407-3999.
Call 911 for an emergency where there is an immediate threat to life or property.
Fireworks banned in most cities
For public safety, most cities in Snohomish County ban fireworks completely, even on private property.
It is illegal to set off fireworks at any time in the following cities:
- Brier
- Edmonds
- Everett
- Gold Bar
- Lynnwood
- Marysville
- Mill Creek
- Mountlake Terrace
- Mukilteo
- Woodway
On New Year’s Eve, fireworks are illegal throughout south Snohomish County, in both cities and unincorporated areas.
County fireworks restrictions
In unincorporated Snohomish Countyoutside city limits, fireworks may be set off on July 4 only, between 9 a.m. and midnight. It is illegal to discharge fireworks any other day.
Prohibited locations
You are never allowed to use fireworks in or on:
- Public property, including schools, parking lots, streets or sidewalks
- Snohomish County parks
- State parks or land managed by the Department of Natural Resources
- Federal land, including U.S. Forest Service land
Fireworks stand permits
Fireworks may legally be sold in unincorporated Snohomish County between noon on June 28 and noon on July 5 of each year. A fireworks permit from the Snohomish County Fire Marshal’s Office is required to operate a fireworks stand.
Illegal fireworks
At no time may you possess or discharge illegal fireworks such as firecrackers, bottle rockets, M-80s, dynamite, or homemade fireworks. Many fireworks sold on tribal land can only be legally set off on the reservation.
To report the illegal discharge of fireworks, call 425-407-3999.
Only call 911 if there is an immediate threat to life or property.
Snohomish County Fire Marshal‘s message
The Snohomish County Fire Marshal is calling for increased public awareness and urging extra caution with firework use due to an anticipated increase in the discharge of fireworks this year combined with concerns about hospital capacities related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“The great care you should always exercise when handling fireworks is even more critical this year,” said Fire Marshal Michael McCrary, Snohomish County Planning and Development Services. “In the midst of COVID-19, avoiding any unnecessary demand for hospital beds is important for the health of everyone in the county.”
If you are getting together with others to watch or discharge fireworks, remember to practice social distancing and wear masks in line with COVID-19 guidelines, and always practice safe firework use. The attached flyer provides tips on using fireworks safely to prevent injury and fire, also available at https://snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/65174/Stay-Safe-and-Legal-this-4th-of-July-flyer-2019.
Explosive devices such as fire crackers, M-80s, and all homemade explosive devices are illegal. Discharging other, non-exploding fireworks is illegal in most of Snohomish County’s municipal areas, but remains legal on July 4th during certain hours in unincorporated Snohomish County in 2020. Consult the attachment for which fireworks are legal.
To view a map depicting the regulations throughout the county and hours of legal discharge, visit: https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/65316/Fireworks-Discharge-Map-July-4th-2020
Tips on the safe use of fireworks
Be prepared…before you light fireworks:
- Use legal fireworks, available at licensed outlets
- Store fireworks out of children’s reach
- Keep pets safe indoors
- Always keep water handy
Be Responsible… after you finish:
- Soak used fireworks in water
- Be considerate – clean up used fireworks
- Keep matches and lighters away from children
- Be prepared. Only use legal firework available at licensed outlets.
Author: Mario Lotmore
