Public safety officials want to remind Bellingham residents and visitors that all consumer fireworks are prohibited in the City of Bellingham. This includes fountains, sparklers, smokeballs, and ground-spinning fireworks commonly referred to as “safe and sane” fireworks in addition to rockets, aerial missiles, roman candles and other projectile fireworks.
In 2014, the Bellingham City Council adopted an ordinance to ban all consumer fireworks within the City limits including any fireworks legally purchased at fireworks stands elsewhere in Whatcom County. Anyone who violates the consumer fireworks ban is subject to a civil infraction with a fine of up to $1,000. The minimum fine is $250. Law enforcement officials also have the authority to immediately seize fireworks that are located within the City. Bellingham Fire Marshal Ron Richard said that devices some people refer to as “fireworks” are actually illegal explosive devices that cannot legally be possessed anywhere in the State of Washington.