Utica Prohibits Fireworks Use 335 Days of the Year

Fed up with the pre-fireworks season bangs and booms, the City of Utica passed an ordinance Tuesday prohibiting the use of legal fireworks other than the 30 designated days a year, which are a day before, the day of and the day after national holidays.

"I really am personally sick of hearing bottle rockets and fireworks going off nightly," said Utica Mayor Jaqueline Noonan. 

The ordinance gives police the ability to fine residents up to $500 for firing off loud fireworks on days that are not designated in ordinance No. 163.

Council members said the ordinance was necessary to regulate the noise level in Utica after to generate sales tax revenue and registration fees.

Cities and townships can’t block sales, and have limited power to restrict where and when individuals can light mini-explosives that whine, bang and boom. The new law bars municipalities from regulating fireworks use on federal holidays – such as July 4 – or the day right before and after.

It is now legal for retailers in Michigan to sell bottle rockets, Roman candles and other flying devices to consumers.

It is illegal for residents to shoot off fireworks other than the day before, day of or day after the following ten national holidays:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Washington's Birthday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Columbus Day
• Veteran's Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

"I think there is a great deal of confusion with the public.  We’re simply saying that for a quality of life issue, it is not something that has to be done day-in and day-out,” added Noonan.

Shelby Township does not have a similar ordinance governing the days when residents can shoot off fireworks.