| Use & disposal of fireworks |
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The Fireworks By-law 59-2014 regulates the use of fireworks in Oshawa.
Be safe when discharging fireworks in your backyard and dispose of used or unused fireworks correctly.
| When & where to use fireworks |
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Under the Fireworks By-law, you are allowed to discharge consumer (family) fireworks on your own private property without a permit, between dusk and 11:00 p.m., on three (3) days only each year:
- Victoria Day;
- Canada Day; and
- The celebration known as Diwali Day.
You are NOT allowed to discharge consumer (family) fireworks:
- On any day other than the three (3) days stated above; and/or
- On any private property that is not your own without obtaining the written authorization of the legal owner of the property, including into, in or on any highway, street, lane, square, public park or other public place.
You must be 18 years of age to possess or discharge fireworks.
Consumer (family) fireworks means low hazard fireworks, classified under Class 7, Division 2, Subdivision 1 under the Explosives Act, generally used for recreation, such as fireworks showers, fountains, golden rain, lawn lights, pin wheels, and roman candles.
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| How to properly dispose of fireworks |
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It is important to safely dispose of fireworks. Improper disposal of fireworks can cause fires in waste collection vehicles and at facilities. Never put used or unused fireworks in the Blue Bin (recycling).
Learn how to properly dispose of fireworks with Durham Region’s online tool - Know Before You Throw. Just type the name of a waste item such as “used fireworks” or “unused fireworks” into the Search field and the Region’s online tool will tell you how to dispose of it.
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| Make a complaint - unsafe & inappropriate use/discharge of fireworks |
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For emergencies only, call 9-1-1.
For non-emergencies, you can make a by-law complaint about unsafe and inappropriate use/discharge of fireworks by contacting Service Oshawa at 905-436-3311 or Live Chat. After business hours: follow the voice prompt for By-law and leave a message with the required information as stated below.
- What you can expect when making a by-law complaint:
- You will be required to provide:
- Your name, address and phone number (information about a complainant is confidential)
- The address of the property with the violation. Note: without a valid Oshawa property address or location details there is no reasonable prospect of identifying and/or resolving the issue. If you are a tenant of the property where the violation is occurring, notify the property manager, superintendent, or owner, in writing about the issue before reporting it.
- Details about the concern
- Anonymous complaints will not be investigated
- The Nuisance By-law complaint will be sent to Municipal By-law Enforcement for investigation and response
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| Permits |
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The Fireworks By-law 59-2014 regulates the use and sale of fireworks in Oshawa.
| Sale of consumer (family) fireworks from a temporary sales unit |
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The Fireworks By-law 59-2014 regulates the sale of consumer (family) fireworks in Oshawa.
How to apply
Fees
Make a complaint - vendor selling fireworks without a permit
- You can make a complaint about a vendor selling fireworks without a permit by contacting Service Oshawa at 905-436-3311 or Live Chat
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| Discharge of display fireworks |
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The Fireworks By-law 59-2014 regulates the use of display fireworks in Oshawa.
A Fireworks Discharge Permit is always required to discharge display fireworks or pyrotechnic special effects on any day (including the statutory holidays known as Victoria Day, Canada Day and the celebration known as Diwali Day). Completed applications can be emailed to Service Oshawa at [email protected].
Display fireworks means high hazard fireworks as defined under the Explosives Act generally used for recreation such as rockets, serpents, shells, bombshells, tourbillons, maroons, large wheel, bouquets, barrages, bambardos, waterfalls, batteries, illumination, set pieces and pigeons.
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| Fireworks safety reminders |
- Appoint a responsible person to be in charge. Only adults who are aware of the hazards and essential safety precautions should handle and discharge fireworks.
- Carefully read and follow the label directions on fireworks packaging.
- Always keep a water hose or pail of water close by when discharging fireworks.
- Discharge fireworks well away from combustible materials like buildings, trees and dry grass.
- Keep onlookers a safe distance away, upwind from the area where fireworks are discharged.
- Light only one firework at a time and only when they are located on the ground. Never try to light a firework in your hand or re-light dud fireworks. For dud fireworks, it is best to wait 30 minutes and soak them in a bucket of water. Dispose of them in a metal container.
- Discharge fireworks only if wind conditions do not create a safety hazard.
- Keep sparklers away from children. Sparklers burn extremely hot and can ignite clothing, cause blindness and result in severe burns. As the sparkler wire remains hot for some minutes after burnout, it should be immediately soaked in water to avoid injury.
- If someone is burned, run cool water over the wound for three to five minutes and if necessary seek medical attention.
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| Fireworks By-law 59-2014 |
| View the Fireworks By-law 59-2014 for more information on the use and sale of fireworks in Oshawa. |
| Types of fireworks |
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Consumer (family) fireworks:
- Are low hazard and designed for recreational use
- They include items like showers, fountains, golden rain, lawn lights, pin wheels, and roman candles
- Under the Fireworks By-law, you are allowed to discharge consumer (family) fireworks on your own private property without a permit, between dusk and 11:00 p.m., on three (3) days only each year:
- Victoria Day;
- Canada Day; and
- The celebration known as Diwali Day.
- You are NOT allowed to discharge consumer (family) fireworks:
- On any day other than the three (3) days stated above; and/or
- On any private property that is not your own without obtaining the written authorization of the legal owner of the property, including into, in or on any highway, street, lane, square, public park or other public place.
Display fireworks and special effect pyrotechnics:
- Are high hazard and designed for professional use
- They include items like rockets, serpents, shells, bombshells, tourbillons, maroons, large wheel, bouquets, barrages, bambardos, waterfalls, batteries, illumination, set pieces and pigeons as well as special-purpose pyrotechnics made for live stage performances and the film and television industry
- They can only be discharged by a licensed professional
- A Fireworks Discharge Permit is always required to discharge display fireworks or pyrotechnic special effects on any day (including the statutory holidays known as Victoria Day, Canada Day and the celebration known as Diwali Day). Completed applications can be emailed to Service Oshawa at [email protected].
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| City park rentals |
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The City of Oshawa has parks available to rent for your next special event featuring display fireworks!
Staff in the Facility Booking Office will provide detailed information (such as rental fees, insurance and display Fireworks Discharge Permit requirements) and will assist you with your rental request for an outdoor park.
Please note:
- Park users are NOT allowed to discharge consumer (family) fireworks on any day in a City park
- City park rentals for special events with display fireworks or pyrotechnic special effects:
- The City of Oshawa is currently NOT accepting applications for display Fireworks Discharge Permits
- A Fireworks Discharge Permit is always required to discharge display fireworks or pyrotechnic special effects on any day (including the statutory holidays known as Victoria Day, Canada Day and the celebration known as Diwali Day)
- Display fireworks or pyrotechnic special effects can only be discharged by a licensed professional
For more information, please contact the Facility Booking Office at 905-436-3888.
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| Questions |
| If you have any questions or require more information, please contact Service Oshawa at 905-436-3311 or Live Chat. |
The Fireworks By-law 59-2014 regulates the use and sale of fireworks in Oshawa.