ARE FIREWORKS LEGAL IN WASHINGTON?
Fireworks are restricted in Washington.
Consumer fireworks are restricted in Washington. Only certain consumer fireworks are legal statewide; many cities and counties impose total bans.
📅 WHEN CAN YOU USE FIREWORKS?
Jun 28 – Jul 5 (discharge dates vary by day)
Jun 28: noon–11 PM; Jun 29–Jul 3: 9 AM–11 PM; Jul 4: 9 AM–midnight; Jul 5: 9 AM–11 PM
Dec 31 – Jan 1
6:00 PM Dec 31 – 1:00 AM Jan 1
Use outside the legal windows is a misdemeanor. Cities and counties may enact ordinances to further limit or completely prohibit the sale, purchase, possession, or use of consumer fireworks during the Dec 27–Dec 31 period and generally (RCW 70.77.250(4), 70.77.395(3)). Many Washington cities (e.g., Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver) have banned consumer fireworks entirely. Fireworks on forest/brush land Apr 15–Dec 1 require a written DNR permit (RCW 70.77.485). Tribal lands have separate rules. Toy caps and trick novelties may be sold year-round unless locally prohibited.
🎆 WHAT'S LEGAL IN WASHINGTON?
Mortars, 500g cakes, aerial repeaters
Consumer fireworks are legal per state-approved list; however sky rockets, missile-type rockets, firecrackers, salutes, and chasers are specifically banned (RCW 70.77.401). Many cities ban all consumer fireworks.
Fountains, cones, wheels, ground spinners
Legal if on state-approved consumer fireworks list
Sparklers, smoke bombs, snaps, poppers, snakes
Toy paper caps and trick novelties may be sold at all times unless locally prohibited (RCW 70.77.395)
Firecrackers, strings, salutes
Firecrackers and salutes are expressly banned for consumer sale per RCW 70.77.401
Spinning aerial devices
Legal only if classified as consumer fireworks on state-approved list; sky rockets and missile-type rockets are banned
Any DIY, altered, or reloaded fireworks
Illegal — unlicensed manufacture, sale, or use of non-consumer fireworks is a gross misdemeanor (RCW 70.77.488)
📋 KEY RULES
16 — buyers must show picture ID (RCW 70.77.311)
No separate state minimum for use
Private property where not prohibited by local ordinance; must comply with state discharge times
Forest, brush, or grass-covered land Apr 15–Dec 1 without DNR permit (RCW 70.77.485); public property without authorization; any area where local ordinance prohibits fireworks
Many WA cities have banned all consumer fireworks — check local ordinances before purchasing
⚖️ PENALTIES
Sale to minor under 16
Misdemeanor: up to $1,000 fine and/or up to 6 months jail (RCW 70.77.311)
Unlicensed sale/possession of display fireworks
Gross misdemeanor: up to $5,000 fine and/or up to 1 year jail (RCW 70.77.488)
Use on forest/brush land without DNR permit (Apr 15–Dec 1)
Misdemeanor (RCW 70.77.485)
Possession or sale of banned fireworks (sky rockets, firecrackers, etc.)
Fireworks subject to seizure (RCW 70.77.435); misdemeanor penalties apply
Violation of local fireworks ordinance
Varies by jurisdiction — civil infraction or misdemeanor, typically $250–$1,000 fine