Love making things go boom? You should be aware that an updated ordinance that regulates both consumer and professional fireworks displays recently took effect in Lower Saucon Township.
One of the provisions of the new ordinance–which took effect May 15–regulates the hours during which fireworks can legally be exploded, which are now 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Display or professional pyrotechnics may only be displayed between 7 and 10 p.m., for a maximum period of 30 minutes, on a lot that is at least 5 acres in size, according to the ordinance, which also specifices that fireworks must be exploded over the property and that “no fireworks launched within the permitted property may be launched less than 300 feet from any existing occupied structure or 200 feet from any adjacent property line.”
Permits are required for display pyrotechnics, and no more than one fireworks display permit may be issued per quarter calendar year for a particular property or to a particular person.
The intentional use of consumer fireworks is prohibited within 150 feet of any occupied structure in the township, and is prohibited on township-owned property.
The penalty for violating the ordinance is defined as such:
“any person who violates a provision of this ordinance…upon a determination of violation thereof shall be subject to a fine of not less than…$500.00 and not more than…$1,000.00 for each and every offense. Each person violating this ordinance shall further be liable for all attorneys’ fees incurred by the Township in enforcing the same.”
The updated ordinance was adopted in the wake of an overhaul of Pennsylvania’s consumer fireworks law that occurred in October 2017.
The law change made it possible for state residents ages 18 and older to purchase items such as Roman candles and bottle rockets that were already being legally sold at stores in-state, but only to out-of-state residents.
Under the state law, consumer fireworks cannot:
- be ignited or discharged on a public or private property without express permission of the property owner.
- be discharged from or within a motor vehicle or building.
- be discharged toward a motor vehicle or building.
- be discharged within 150 feet of an occupied structure, whether or not a person is actually present.
- be discharged while the person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance or another drug.
For more information about the state’s fireworks law, visit the Pennsylvania State Police’s Fireworks FAQ page.
The entire updated Lower Saucon Township fireworks ordinance was shared last week by the township police department, to whom violations of it should be reported.
