Fireworks

The Fireworks By-Law 59-2014 regulates the use and sale of Consumer Fireworks and Display Fireworks and Special Effect Pyrotechnics in Oshawa.

Under the Fireworks By-law, community members can discharge Consumer Fireworks on their private property without a permit, between dusk and 11 p.m., on the following days:

Victoria Day
Canada Day
The celebration known as Diwali Day

The discharge of Consumer Fireworks is not allowed on:

any day other than the days stated above; or,
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 places.

Types of Fireworks

Consumer Fireworks

Under the Fireworks By-law, you are allowed to discharge Consumer Fireworks on your own private property without a permit, between dusk and 11 p.m., on Victoria Day, Canada Day or the celebration known as Diwali Day.

Consumer Fireworks:

classified under type F.1 in the Government of Canada’s Explosives Regulations
are low hazard and designed for recreational use; and,
include items like showers, fountains, golden rain, lawn lights, pinwheels, and roman candle.

You are not allowed to discharge Consumer Fireworks:

On any day other than the days stated above
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 places

Display Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Special Effects

A Fireworks Discharge Permit is always required to discharge Display Fireworks or Pyrotechnic Special Effects on any day (including Victoria Day, Canada Day and the celebration known as Diwali Day).

Display Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Special Effects:

are high hazard and designed for professional use;
include items like rockets, serpents, shells, bombshells, tourbillons, maroons, large wheel, bouquets, barrages, bombardos, waterfalls, batteries, illumination, set pieces and pigeons as well as special-purpose pyrotechnics made for live stage performances and the film and television industry; and,
can only be discharged by a licensed professional.

Completed Fireworks Discharge Permit applications can be emailed to Service Oshawa at [email protected].

Fireworks Sales Permits

The Fireworks By-Law 59-2014 regulates the sale of Consumer Fireworks from a Temporary Sales Unit in Oshawa.

Please note:

applications must be made no less than 21 days prior to the first sales date;
separate applications are required for each Temporary Sales Unit location; and,
the permit is valid only 7 days immediately prior to and on Victoria Day, Canada Day and the celebration known as Diwali Day.

Fees for permits follow the General Fees and Charges By-law 109-2024.

Completed Consumer Fireworks Temporary Sales Permit applications can be emailed to Service Oshawa at [email protected].

Complaints

You can make a complaint about a vendor selling fireworks without a permit by contacting Service Oshawa at 905-436-3311.

Discharge of Display Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Special Effects

The Fireworks By-Law 59-2014 regulates the use of Display Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Special Effects in Oshawa.

As defined under the Explosives Act, Display Fireworks are high hazard fireworks generally used for recreation. Examples include rockets, serpents, shells, bombshells, tourbillons, maroons, large wheel, bouquets, barrages, bombardos, waterfalls, batteries, illumination, set pieces and pigeons.

City Park Rentals

The City of Oshawa has parks available to rent for your next special event featuring a fireworks display.

The Facility Booking Office will provide rental fees, insurance and Fireworks Discharge Permit requirements to assist community members with rental requests for an outdoor park.

Please note:

Park users are not allowed to discharge Consumer Fireworks on any day in a City park
City park rentals for special events with Display Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Special Effects:
- always require a Fireworks Discharge Permit to discharge Display Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Special Effects on any day (including Victoria Day, Canada Day and the celebration known as Diwali Day); and,
- Display Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Special Effects can only be discharged by a licensed professional.

For more information, contact the Facility Booking Office at 905-436-3888.

Firework Safety

How to correctly and safely dispose of fireworks

Improper disposal of fireworks can cause fires in waste collection vehicles and at facilities and should be disposed of properly.

Please note:

Unused fireworks are not accepted in local waste collection. For unused or active fireworks or safety flares, please contact your local police department. These items are unacceptable for curbside waste or recycling collection and are not accepted as Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste at Durham’s Waste Management Facilities.
Spent or used fireworks should be thoroughly soaked water to make sure there are no flames or sparks and then put in regular garbage.
Sparklers should be left to cool overnight or soaked in water immediately after use until wire is cool and then put in regular garbage.
Never put used or unused fireworks in the recycling.

Get the most up to date information on how to dispose of fireworks and other items using the Know Before You Throw tool.

Safety Reminders

You must be 18 years of age to possess or discharge fireworks.
Appoint a responsible person to be in charge. Only adults 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, upwind from the area where fireworks are discharged.
Light one firework at a time, and only when 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, causing blindness and severe burns. 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.

Complaints

For emergencies only, call 9-1-1

To make a non-emergency complaint about unsafe or inappropriate use/discharge for fireworks:

during regular business hours, contact Service Oshawa at 905-436-3311; or,
outside of regular business hours, contact Service Oshawa at 905-436-3311 and follow the voice prompt for By-Law to leave a message with the required information.

Fireworks By-law Review

In 2023, the City conducted a review of the Fireworks By-Law with respect to Consumer Fireworks in an effort to strike a balance between preserving the joy of fireworks and ensuring safety and consideration for everyone. Below are the key dates and highlight of the review:

On April 3, 2023, Council approved Option "D" from Report SF-23-13: Options to Amend Fireworks By-law 59-2014 which directed staff to undertake a public and industry consultation on three options related to the sale and discharge of Consumer Fireworks in the City of Oshawa.
On December 4, 2023 was presented to the Safety and Facilities Services Committee for consideration, with Option "A": Enhanced enforcement of Fireworks By-law being endorsed.
On December 11, 2023, Council approved Option "A": Enhanced enforcement of Fireworks By-law from Report SF-23-38: Consultation Results of the Proposed Policy Options to Amend Fireworks By-law 59-2014 which directs staff to further collaborate to enhance the enforcement of the Fireworks By-law. This will involve increased enforcement efforts before and after the Victoria Day, Canada Day, and Diwali Day, when the sale and discharge of fireworks are permitted, including on the day of the relevant holiday. Additionally, the City will implement a communications and education campaign to inform residents of appropriate standards.