Costumes, candies, and fireworks — it’s not hard to guess which one of these Halloween traditions is illegal for most of the year.
Some Metro Vancouver cities make fireworks legal for just one day, and residents throughout the region take the opportunity to revel in the relaxed regulations on October 31.
In 2021, Vancouver enacted a fireworks ban, forbidding the sale and use of fireworks for all, excluding certified fireworks technicians. Since the ban, the city reported a massive decline in property damage.
But many Halloween revellers have paid the ban little heed and set off fireworks anyway.
Whether you love or hate them, fireworks are prevalent throughout Metro Vancouver. Here’s where you can legally set them off.
- Can you use fireworks on Halloween? NO.
- Fireworks can only be set off by a technician who holds a federal certificate and a municipal fire permit.
- Can you use fireworks on Halloween? YES.
- Fireworks can be set off with a permit on October 31 from 6 to 10 pm.
- Fireworks can be purchased with a permit between October 25 and 31.
- You must be 19 or older to qualify for a permit.
- Permit applications cost $5.
- Permits can be applied for online.
- Can you use fireworks on Halloween? NO.
- The sale, possession, and discharge of fireworks are banned.
- The only exception is a public display by a certified professional.
- Can you use fireworks on Halloween? NO.
- West Vancouver previously allowed people to use fireworks on Halloween with a $5 permit, but no longer.
- Consumer use and sale of fireworks are banned as of October 16, 2023.
- Can you use fireworks on Halloween? YES.
- Fireworks can only be set off on October 31 by people 18 or older.
- The sale of fireworks is illegal in Burnaby.
- Must be used on private property.
- Can you use fireworks on Halloween? YES.
- Fireworks can be set off on October 31 between 4 pm and midnight by a permit holder.
- Anyone 18 years of age or older can apply for a permit.
- Roman candles are not allowed.
- Fireworks can’t be sold in New Westminster.
- High-hazard fireworks are banned without a special permit.
- Low-hazard fireworks may only be possessed between October 28 and October 31.
- Can you use fireworks on Halloween? NO.
- Richmond has a ban on the sale, purchase, possession, and use of fireworks.
- Licensed fireworks supervisors may apply for a permit.
- Can you use fireworks on Halloween? NO.
- Only a holder of a fireworks permit may possess fireworks at any time.
- A fire permit can only be issued to people who apply with a letter of permission, a fireworks safety plan, an event description, and proof of comprehensive general liability insurance.
- Fireworks are never allowed to be sold in Delta.
- Can you use fireworks on Halloween? NO.
- Fireworks are allowed in Surrey if you have a special permit.
- Permits are given only to people with a Natural Resources Canada Fireworks Supervisor Card.
- Can you use fireworks on Halloween? NO.
- Individuals with a Fireworks Supervisor’s Certificate from Natural Resources Canada can only obtain firework permits.
- Permits are only granted to people with a valid business licence.
- Permit fees are $1,500.
- Can you use fireworks on Halloween? NO.
- Individuals with a Fireworks Supervisor’s Certificate from Natural Resources Canada can only obtain firework permits.
- Permit applications cost $1,000.
- Can you use fireworks on Halloween? NO.
- Port Moody cracked down on fireworks use on November 1, 2023. It tightened restrictions to essentially ban them from being set off from residential lots. There used to be a process to register for small-scale fireworks displays, but no longer.
- Pyrotechnic displays with enough room and a safety strategy can still apply for permission from the City.
- Can you use fireworks on Halloween? NO.
- Special permits can be applied for at the Coquitlam Fire/Rescue Department.
- Permit applications cost $50 for low-hazard and $100 for high-hazard fireworks.
- Can you use fireworks on Halloween? YES.
- People with a permit can use fireworks on October 31 until 11 pm.
- Fireworks cannot be purchased in Port Coquitlam.
- Permit applications cost $30.
- Permit applications must be made at the Tax Office of Port Coquitlam’s City Hall (2580 Shaughnessy Street) between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm from Monday to Friday.
- Permits must be submitted by 3 pm on the last weekday of October by someone aged 18 or older.
This piece was originally published in October 2023. It has been updated.