The Independence Day holiday has arrived and while celebratory ‘bombs bursting in air’ are enjoyable for many, there are specific areas on the South Beach where shooting off fireworks is illegal.
What’s legal and where can you shoot? Be aware of local regulations to avoid citations and fines.
Here’s a short guide to fireworks regulations on the South Beach:
Inside Westport city limits
By ordinance, it is “unlawful to possess, use, sell, barter or trade fireworks within the City of Westport without the prior approval of the City Council and the Mayor.” That means if you’re caught with fireworks, shooting them off or not, you have a problem with the law.
However, each year the City relaxes the rules just a bit for private citizens who want to shoot off fireworks. On the 4th of July only you may shoot off fireworks on the Half Moon Bay beach within Westport City limits between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. All fireworks must be shot a minimum of 200 feet west of the dune grass line and they must be shot away from the dunes, toward the ocean.
In the State Parks
It is illegal to possess or shoot/discharge any fireworks in any state park. That includes on the beach that fronts the campgrounds on higher ground. Be sure you do not wander onto state park property if you’re going to the beach to shoot off your fireworks.
On the Beach
Although citizens are being discouraged from shooting off fireworks, especially in areas where there may be dry grasses, such as along the dunes, the state Fire Marshall’s Office does allow fireworks to be shot off from June 28 through July 5. Only state-approved fireworks, often labeled “Safe & Sane,” may be discharged.
The discharge of legal fireworks (those allowed by the State of Washington) is allowed on saltwater tidal areas and on beaches that do not front state Parks properties. Any person discharging fireworks in the dune areas or into the dunes will have their fireworks confiscated and be subject to a citation. Shoot fireworks only toward the ocean.
Shoalwater Bay Indian Reservation
Pyrotechnics sold at tribal outlets may very well not meet state standards for “Safe and Sane” fireworks. Your best bet is to discharge them on the reservation in areas designated there for that purpose. Nearly every reservation that sells fireworks also provides an area for discharging them.
