Fireworks 

July 4th and New Year’s Eve are popular holidays for families and friends to gather for celebrations. Often those celebrations involve fireworks. While it is legal to purchase and discharge consumer fireworks within Monroe city limits there are inherent dangers to improper use. The City of Monroe and its public safety partners encourage all who celebrate July 4th and New Year’s Eve in our community to do so safely.

Please review and share information (English and Spanish) about how to "Celebrate Safely with Fireworks" in Monroe. 

Each year the Mayor and city staff receive questions, comments and concerns about fireworks regulations, including a fireworks ban. Please read the Mayor's Message and common questions and answers by clicking the tabs below. 

Regulations

Monroe Municipal Code (MMC 9.26) regulates the sale, purchase, and discharge of consumer fireworks within city limits.

  • The purchase and sale of common (consumer) fireworks is allowed within city limits from July 1 through July 4 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. and December 27 through 31 from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
  • The discharge of common fireworks is allowed within city limits on July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight and from December 31 through January 1 from 6 p.m. through 1 a.m.
  • The discharge of fireworks on city property and in city parks (including parking lots) is against the law. (MMC 9.28)

Common fireworks, include, but are not limited to, shells and mortars, multiple tube devices, Roman candles, rockets, sparklers, and firecrackers with no more than 50 milligrams of powder. View Washington State Patrol’s list of legal fireworks in Washington State.

Fireworks safety

Statistics show the leading cause of fireworks incidents is unsafe practice. Unsafe handling of fireworks can cause serious injury, death, and fires. Please ensure the safe handling of fireworks:

  • Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
  • Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
  • Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting.
  • Never ignite fireworks in a container.
  • Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.
  • Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.
  • Always use fireworks outside and have a bucket of water and a hose nearby to extinguish sparks.
  • Always light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from any building, dry grass or vegetation, or other flammable materials.
  • Do not consume alcohol or marijuana when handling fireworks.
  • Fireworks frighten and stress pets; keep them indoors and away from fireworks. 

Noise and commotion from fireworks frighten pets and may make them run from otherwise familiar environments and people and become lost. 

  • Keep pets indoors. Close the curtains or blinds and turn on the TV or radio to provide some distraction. 
  • Call the Monroe Police Department at 360-794-3600 to report a lost or found animal.

The summer season is more susceptible to wildfires. Unsafe practices with fireworks provide an ignition source for high fuel levels in wildland areas. Residents should be aware of the status of outdoor burning. Contact the City’s Fire Marshal at 360-805-0338 or by email.

Reporting fireworks incidents

Please keep the following in mind when reporting fireworks incidents:

  • To report a fire caused by fireworks, injury from fireworks or the illicit making of fireworks, call 9-1-1.
  • Reports of illegal or nuisance fireworks where there is no immediate threat to life or property, no active fire or no injury should be reported to SNO911’s non-emergency number:  425-407-3999.

 City policy

The sale, possession, and discharge of consumer fireworks varies between cities and unincorporated areas in Snohomish County. The City of Monroe allows the sale and discharge of fireworks. We trust that those who use them in the city do so safely and if not, that they are properly reported to law enforcement. 

The Monroe City Council may adopt laws to prohibit the use and sale of fireworks, but State law restricts such laws from becoming effective for one year. Additionally, the City Council could adopt laws that would authorize the Mayor or qualified staff to ban fireworks sales and discharge, but has not done so. Further, State law does not authorize a Mayor to declare an emergency to ban fireworks. 

Please select the “Mayor’s Message” tab below to learn more. 

  1. Mayor's Message
  2. Common Questions

A Message from Mayor Thomas

Annually, residents contact me requesting that I declare an emergency and ask our Monroe City Councilmembers to pass legislation to prohibit the use of personal fireworks. In 2021, the City of Monroe received considerably more requests. A primary reason given is the record-breaking heat.

While City staff and I respond directly to comments we receive, I felt it was valuable to share responses to some common questions  Please click the adjacent tab to learn about lawmaking regarding fireworks. 

As noted in the common Q&A , fireworks are not prohibited in the City of Monroe. Also, the Monroe City Council has not authorized me or a qualified staff member, like a fire marshal, to declare an emergency to prohibit fireworks, even following the extreme weather conditions like we experienced between in June 2021. Lastly, State Law prohibits changes to local fireworks laws from becoming effective for one year.  

This Fourth of July, please celebrate Independence Day. Please get together with one another – with family, friends, and neighbors. This is a time to celebrate. 

The summer season is more susceptible to wildfires. Unsafe practices with fireworks provide an ignition source for high fuel levels in wildland areas.  Please consider using alternatives to personal fireworks this year and, if you use them, only use legal fireworks AND take every precaution to ensure a safe Independence Day celebration for you, your family and neighbors, and our community.  

Be safe and have a Happy Independence Day!
Mayor Thomas

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