• Community complaints about the nuisance of illegal fireworks are a regular occurrence in Stouffville.
  • Town Staff have reviewed the Fireworks By-Law and proposed measures to strengthen it and address the issue.
  • Their recommendations include closing public parks earlier and raising the legal age for purchasing and possessing fireworks to 19 years old.
  • They also suggest a licensing system for local fireworks sellers and bringing enforcement of illegal sales under the Administrative Monetary Penalty System.
  • Should the recommendations be approved at the October 16, 2024, Council meeting, by-law amendments would be presented early next year for formal adoption.

 

In Stouffville, fireworks may only be legally sold in the week leading up to Victoria Day and Canada Day. Under the current Fireworks By-Law, sales are limited to buyers 18 or older. Personal fireworks can only be set off in the two days before and after those holidays, and any other use requires a $138 permit.

Like many communities, complaints about illegal fireworks are common in local social media groups. Town Staff have noted five years of concerns about minors using fireworks in parks, and questions have been raised about how easily fireworks can be purchased.

In response, Council adopted a resolution in January 2024 from Councillor Rick Upton asking Staff to review the Fireworks By-Law and report back with recommended adjustments.

The resulting report, which will be considered by Council during their upcoming October 16 meeting, suggests closing municipal parks 30 minutes earlier. Staff believe an 11 p.m. closing time “may help reduce instances of late-night fireworks activity, particularly involving minors.”

Another proposed option is raising the legal age for purchasing and possessing fireworks to 19. Staff believe the shift would improve safety and align policy with other regulations, such as the legal drinking age.

Staff also recommend the implementation of a permitting system for local businesses interested in selling fireworks. Many York and Durham Region municipalities require such licenses, which cost roughly $200 on average but range from $50 to $603.

A Stouffville permit system “would allow for more control over the sale of fireworks and enable the Town to maintain a registry of licensed vendors,” Staff explained. They noted that it could provide better oversight capability and facilitate enforcement against unlicensed sellers.

Illegal sales could then be enforced through AMPS, which allows the Town to handle certain by-law violations internally. This streamlines fine collection by avoiding the backlog in Ontario’s court system.

If Stouffville adopts the York Region average licensing fee of $207, along with an inspection fee to ensure compliance with Fireworks By-Law safety and display regulations, Staff estimate $2,000 to $5,000 in annual revenue. Combined with fines from AMPS, this could help offset added enforcement costs.

“While these measures will not eliminate the problems, they have the potential to significantly reduce incidents and improve compliance with the Town’s regulations,” the report adds. “Staff believe that a combination of these items could help to address community safety concerns.”

*Photo by Arturo Rey on Unsplash