Use & Disposal of Fireworks

Fireworks have the potential to cause serious injury. Follow the tips below to be safe when setting off fireworks in your backyard and dispose of used or unused fireworks correctly.

 

In Toronto, you are only allowed to use fireworks on your own private property.

Always be aware of your surroundings and remember not to discharge fireworks where they may be a nuisance or pose a risk of fire, injury or damage to any person or property.

Fireworks are not permitted in the following locations:

  • Parks
  • Beaches
  • Balconies
  • Streets
  • Parking lots
  • Any property that is not your own

You may be fined up to $600 for possessing or setting off fireworks in any of the locations listed above.

You are allowed to set off consumer fireworks on your private property without a permit and only until 11 p.m. on Victoria Day (May 19, 2025) and Canada Day (July 1).

On all other days, you need a permit to set off fireworks. When a permit is issued, you will not be authorized to discharge fireworks past 11 p.m. Request a permit by email below or by calling 416-338-5340, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Request a Permit

Who Can & Cannot Use Fireworks

  • Only responsible adults should set off fireworks.
  • Children and youth under 18 years old are not permitted to set off fireworks.
  • Adults must supervise fireworks for their entire duration.

Which Fireworks Are Allowed & Where to Buy Them

  • Allowed fireworks include low hazard fireworks for recreation, such as fireworks showers, fountains, golden rain, lawn lights, pinwheels, Roman candles, volcanoes, sparklers and other similar devices.
  • Prohibited fireworks include smoke bombs, exploding matches, exploding golf balls, stink bombs and fake firecrackers. Browse the complete list of prohibited fireworks.
  • Purchase fireworks from a retailer displaying a City-issued fireworks vendor permit.

Select a Safe Location

  • Always be aware of your surroundings when using fireworks.
  • Ensure your backyard or property is large enough for spectators to watch the display from a safe distance. The manufacturer’s label directions include information on how far away they need to be.
  • Ensure that there are no buildings or trees nearby.
  • Never discharge fireworks or light sparklers indoors.
  • Do not select a location where it may be a nuisance or pose a risk of fire, injury or damage to any person or property.
  • Fireworks are not allowed in City parks, beaches, streets and parking lots, on balconies or on any private property that is not your own.

How to Set Up

  • Always read and follow the manufacturer’s label directions.
  • Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
  • Set up fireworks by burying them at least half their length into a bucket of earth or sand if portable firing bases are not available. Never discharge fireworks in metal or glass containers. Never discharge fireworks in your hand.
  • Set them aimed straight up, unless the label on the fireworks indicates otherwise, and away from people. Never throw or point fireworks at other people.
  • Have water on hand, such as a fully charged garden hose and bucket of water, in order to soak fireworks after they have fired.

How to Discharge Fireworks

  • One designated adult should ignite the fireworks.
  • Always wear eye protection and avoid having any part of your body over the fireworks.
  • Light only one firework at a time.
  • Light the fireworks at arm’s length, stand back and keep your face turned away.
  • If a firework fails to ignite wait at least 30 minutes before approaching it and then soak it in a bucket of water. Never try to re-light or fix fireworks that fail to ignite or that are cracked, broken, leaking powder or are missing the wick.
  • The ends of sparklers continue to stay hot for some time and can burn your skin, clothing or nearby combustible material. To prevent an injury douse/soak the ends of sparklers with water or allow to cool down in a safe place.
  • If someone suffers a burn, run cool water over the area and consider further treatment. Call 9-1-1 if needed.

        Steps for proper disposal:

        1. Completely submerge used or unused fireworks in water and soak them overnight.
        2. Dispose of up to 10 fireworks at a time them in your garbage bin.
        3. For additional quantities, place them in the garbage bin over separate collection dates.

        Never put used or unused fireworks in the Blue Bin (recycling) because this can cause fires in waste collection vehicles and at facilities.

        Lighters with fuel must be disposed of as household hazardous waste.

        Pets

        When fireworks are discharged, pets can become scared of booming, crackling or sizzling sounds along with the flashing colours and may run away from familiar people and places.

        What can you do?

        • Keep your pets secured inside your home during fireworks displays, even dogs in fenced yards find ways to escape the scary sounds. If they must be outside during the fireworks, remember to leash them and keep their pet licence tag on.
        • Update your pet’s identification and microchips and ensure that the information on their licence and/or microchip is current.
        • Give pets a safe place to hide. Set up a comfortable room or crate in your house just for them.
        • Use ambient sounds to try and mask the noise coming from the fireworks. This may include radio or TV playing comforting music.
        • Skip the celebration and stay home with them. Sometimes your presence makes all the difference.
        • Keep them busy. Using treats or toys can help distract pets during the fireworks.

        Birds

        Victoria Day and Canada Day both fall during nesting season. Fireworks can have negative consequences for Toronto’s birds and their hatchlings, such as:

        • Drowning out their ability to communicate and causing them to abandon nests and fledglings for their own perceived safety.
        • Starting fires, especially in meadows, that destroy ground bird nests and deplete food sources.
        • Contaminating their drinking water with toxic heavy metals.

        What can you do?

        • Avoid discharging fireworks near natural habitats, such as ravines or unmowed fields.
        • Dispose of used and unused fireworks properly.

        Those who do not comply with the Fireworks Bylaw or the Parks Bylaw are guilty of an offence. If issued a ticket and convicted, they may have to pay a fine for the offence.

        Parks Bylaw Fines

        Offence Bylaw Provision Fine
        Possess firecrackers, rockets or fireworks in a park 608-5 $600
        Ignite, discharge or set off firecrackers, rockets or fireworks in a park 608-5 $600

        Fireworks Bylaw Fines

        Offence Bylaw Provision Fine
        Discharge of firecrackers 466-4E $1,000
        Discharge of prohibited fireworks 466-4F $1,000
        Discharge consumer fireworks without a permit on day other than Canada Day or Victoria Day 466-5A $1,000
        Discharge consumer fireworks after 11 p.m. on Victoria Day or Canada Day 466-5A(1) $700
        Discharge consumer fireworks after 11 p.m. on designated day for Victoria Day or Canada Day 466-5B(1) $700
        Discharge consumer fireworks in, on, into building, structure or motor vehicle 466-5C(1) $700
        Discharge consumer fireworks on or into highway, street, lane, square, public park or other public space 466-5C(2) $700
        Discharge consumer fireworks within 100 metres of explosives, gasoline or flammable substances 466-5C(3) $1,000
        Discharge consumer fireworks on any land not belonging to the person discharging the fireworks, or on other private property without prior written consent of the owner 466-5C(4) $700
        Discharge consumer fireworks in manner that may create a nuisance, unsafe condition or risk of fire/injury/damage to person or property 466-5C(5) $700
        Discharge consumer fireworks without fully operational fire extinguishing equipment 466-5D $700
        Permit discharge of fireworks on property without permit 466-6A(1) $700
        Misrepresent ownership or occupancy of lands to facilitate obtaining fireworks discharge permit 466-6B $700
        Being a parent/guardian of a minor and allowing the minor to discharge fireworks 466-6D $1,000
        Discharge fireworks in a manner contrary to manufacturer’s instructions 466-6E $700
        Failure to comply with a condition of a fireworks discharge permit 466-8L $700
        Discharge of display fireworks without a display fireworks discharge permit 466-9A $1,000
        Discharge display fireworks without qualification as fireworks supervisor 466-9B $700
        Discharge display fireworks without complying with conditions in display fireworks discharge permit 466-9C(1) $700
        Discharge display fireworks without taking steps to prevent harm to persons/property 466-9C(2) $700
        Discharge display fireworks without fire extinguishers which are in accordance with display fireworks manual 466-9C(4) $700
        Discharge display fireworks without ensuring persons are kept at a safe distance in accordance with display fireworks manual 466-9C(5) $700
        Discharge display fireworks without producing fireworks discharge permit as required 466-9C(6) $700
        Fail to remove fireworks and debris after discharge of display fireworks 466-9C(7)(a) $600
        Fail to restore site after discharge of display fireworks 466-9C(7)(b) $600
        Discharge display fireworks without display fireworks discharge permit 466-10A $1,000
        Discharge special effect pyrotechnics without a special effect pyrotechnics discharge permit 466-11A $1,000
        Discharge special effect pyrotechnics without fireworks operator qualification 466-11B $700
        Discharge special effect pyrotechnics without complying with conditions of special effect pyrotechnics discharge permit 466-11C(1) $700
        Discharge special effect pyrotechnics without taking steps to prevent harm to persons/property 466-11C(2) $700
        Discharge special effect pyrotechnics without fire extinguishers which are in accordance with pyrotechnic special effects manual 466-11C(4) $700
        Discharge special effect pyrotechnics without ensuring persons are kept at a safe distance in accordance with pyrotechnics special effects manual 466-11C(5) $700
        Discharge special effect pyrotechnics without producing fireworks discharge permit as required 466-11C(6) $700
        Fail to remove fireworks and debris after discharge of special effect pyrotechnics 466-11C(7) $700
        Fail to restore site after discharge of special effect pyrotechnics 466-11C(7)(b) $700
        Discharge special effect pyrotechnics without a special effect pyrotechnics discharge permit 466-12A $1,000
        Failure/refusal to comply with law enforcement officer request for document/thing/information 466-17B(3) $1,000
        Failure to comply with an order 466-17I(1) $1,000.