Bedminster Township supervisors have now established regulations against fireworks abuse.
The move comes in response to complaints residents voiced passionately at a July board of supervisors meeting, about abuse of fireworks privileges causing deep disturbance among them, as well as among their dogs and horses.
The action was taken Oct. 11 as adoption of an amendment to the township Code of Ordinances that covers “display” (commercial) fireworks use as well as consumer use, and includes “prescribing penalties for violations.”
The amendment notes it establishes control “to the greatest extent possible,” referring to limitations imposed by the state when it expanded fireworks privileges, via Act 74 in 2022.
The consumer use regulations do not apply to “devices such as ground and hand-held sparkling devices; novelties; or toy caps,” except that “a person shall not intentionally discharge or throw sparkling devices from a vehicle or building, into or at a vehicle or building, or at a person or animal.”
Display regulations refer to “large fireworks to be used solely by professional pyrotechnicians,” and refer further to standard fireworks definitions specified by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
For both consumer or display, “location within 150 feet of any structure, property line, vehicle, or roadway” is prohibited, as well as “within or upon any vehicle, structure, building, or tent,” or “in any township park unless approved by the township,” or “by any person who is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or another drug.”
Use of display fireworks is unlawful without a permit, or without “compliance with state and federal statutes and regulations,” or without a “competent operator and safe display location.” Liability insurance is required. Procedures to follow are stated, for when a permit could be continued, when an event is canceled.
For consumer use of fireworks, “a person must be at least 18 years of age,” and “not intentionally ignite, discharge, or throw them on or onto public or private property without the express permission of the owner of said property,” or “from a vehicle or building,” or “into or at a vehicle or building,” or “at another person or animal.”
In addition, “a person shall not intentionally ignite or discharge consumer fireworks between the hours of 10 p.m. and 10 a.m., except on July 2, 3, and 4 and Dec. 31, when they may be used until 1 a.m. the following day.” Further, “when July 4 falls on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, they may be used until 1 a.m. the following day; on the immediately preceding and the following Friday and Saturday;” and they can be used “on Memorial Day and Labor Day, including the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday, until 1 a.m. the following day.”
Sales of consumer fireworks are to be “only from facilities licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture,” and within requirements of state law.
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