Where you can and can’t set off fireworks under Bellingham, Whatcom County law
While fireworks are central to Fourth of July celebrations, they don’t come without risks. Firework accidents led to nearly 15,000 emergency room visits across the U.S. last year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
As a result, some cities choose to heavily regulate their use while others have less stringent policies.
With the Fourth of July right around the corner, here’s a look at the firework laws in different areas across Whatcom County.
Consumer fireworks banned in Bellingham
Consumer fireworks aren’t allowed in Bellingham.
Under Bellingham’s municipal code, it’s illegal to “manufacture, import, possess, or sell” fireworks within city limits. It’s also illegal to make a public firework display or transport fireworks, unless you have a license.
Public firework displays permitted by the city are allowed. In order to obtain a permit, you have to submit a written application to the fire department. The application has to contain the names of the organization sponsoring the display and pyrotechnics operator, the date and location of the event and proof of insurance, among other pieces of information.
Additionally, the ban only applies to “consumer fireworks,” meaning novelty fireworks are allowed.
Violating Bellingham’s firework ban carries a fine of between $250 and $1,000.
Whatcom County firework laws
In unincorporated areas of Whatcom County, the law is more permissive. Setting off fireworks is legal, but only on the Fourth of July and surrounding days, as well as New Year’s Eve.
Here are the exact days and times that launching consumer fireworks is permitted in unincorporated Whatcom County:
July 3 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
July 4 from 6 p.m. to midnight
July 5 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
From 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1
Other cities in Whatcom County
Ferndale allows you to set off consumer fireworks on July 4 between 9 p.m. and midnight, as well as 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. on New Year’s Eve. You can buy or sell fireworks between July 1 and July.
According to a late June Facebook post from the Blaine Police Department, it’s only legal to set off consumer fireworks between 10 a.m. and midnight on July 4. Fireworks aren’t on public land, near Blaine Harbor or in west Blaine.
Lynden allows the sale of consumer fireworks during certain hours between June 28 and July 5, as well as Dec. 27 through Dec. 31. You can set off fireworks from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 3, 9 a.m. to midnight on July 4 and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on July 5, as well as 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. on New Year’s Eve.
Which consumer fireworks are legal in WA?
Even if you’re launching fireworks at a time and location where it’s legal, state law still restricts the varieties of fireworks you’re allowed to use. According to the Washington State Patrol, these fireworks are legal for sale in Washington:
Cylindrical fountains
Helicopters and aerial spinners
Cone fountains
Smoke devices
Roman candles
Parachutes
Wheels
Mines, shells or cakes
Ground spinners
Re-loadable mortars
Dipped sticks and sparklers
Small, novelty firework devices
These kinds of fireworks are illegal for consumer use in Washington, according to WSP:
Firecrackers
Sky rockets and missiles
Bottle rockets
Additionally, altered fireworks, improvised explosive devices and M-80s or similar devices are considered illegal explosives under state law.
A previous version of this article was published in June 2024.