In Toronto, the use and sale of fireworks are regulated by the Fireworks Bylaw. Businesses selling fireworks year-round from a permanent business location are required to obtain a permit.
Learn more about rules for vendors and fireworks use and disposal.
Sole proprietorships (individuals), partnerships or corporations.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Include two pieces of government-issued identification (one must be photo ID):
Note:
All applicants must also provide the following:
Corporations must also provide:
If a director of the corporation is unable to apply in person at the Licence and Permit Issuing Office, a designate may apply on their behalf. The designate must:
Family 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.
Vendors selling family fireworks need to show proof of at least $2,000,000 in Comprehensive General Liability insurance, naming the City of Toronto as an additional insured.
The completed insurance form must be signed and stamped by the insurer.
A Natural Resources Canada Authorization of Explosives licence is required if the vendor stores over 1000 kg (gross weight) of family fireworks at the site.
You can apply for new business licences or permits online.
Please have all required documents ready to upload before starting the application, as it requires 10-15 minutes to complete and cannot be saved. Download a step by step guide on how to submit a new application. Licence application fees can be paid online or by sending a cheque.
If you have already submitted an application you may upload additional documents using your upload token.
$3,226.19
Do not sell fireworks to minors below the age of 18.
Vendors will need a permit for each location from which they are selling fireworks. Post a copy of the current, valid permit on the front window of the store or display in a clearly visible location.
Fireworks for sale should be displayed in a package, a glass case or other suitable container away from inflammable objects.
All fireworks should be out of the reach of minors. Fireworks not in approved packaging must not be accessible to the public.
Display only sample fireworks in store windows and make sure those do not contain any explosive elements. Fireworks can not be displayed in a place where they are exposed to the rays of the sun or to excess heat.
Post a “No Smoking” sign in the fireworks display area and make sure that people do not smoke, ignite flammable materials, or have lighted materials in the area. Make sure an employee attends the fireworks on display.
Vendors are required to display information about fireworks regulations and safety tips at their store. They also need to provide this information to buyers purchasing fireworks.
The City of Toronto has prepared a poster to help vendors inform buyers about fireworks rules, safety tips and proper disposal. Download, print, display and hand out this poster to buyers.
Any fireworks not on display must be put in storage according to the requirements of the Explosives Act. Storing fireworks in vehicles is prohibited.
A Natural Resources Canada Authorization of Explosives licence is required if the vendor stores over 1000 kg (gross weight) of family fireworks at the site.
Your licence will expire annually on the anniversary of the date that the licence was first issued. A renewal notice, identifying any documents required to renew the licence, will be mailed to the address on file.
The renewal fee is $3,226.19.
Existing licensees must renew their licences online. Licence renewal fees can be paid online or by sending a cheque.
Please have all required documents ready to upload before starting the renewal, as it requires 10-15 minutes to complete and cannot be saved. Download a step by step guide on how to renew a licence or permit.
Find your outstanding business licence or permit renewal invoice.
If you fail to renew your licence according to the bylaw, your licence will be cancelled and you will have to reapply.
Residents can contact 311 to submit complaints about fireworks. If there is a complaint or information about a possible violation, Bylaw Enforcement Officers investigate, educate and/or take enforcement actions.
The goal is to resolve issues and ensure that residents and business are following bylaws. Each issue is addressed on case-by-case basis to make sure reasonable, fair and appropriate actions are taken. For example, in some cases the issue may be resolved through education. In other cases, further enforcement action may be required.
If a business or resident does not comply with the Fireworks Bylaw, they are guilty of an offence. If they are issued a ticket and convicted, they may have to pay a fine for the offence set out in the table below.
| Offence | Bylaw Provision | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Sell firecrackers/prohibited fireworks | 466-4C | $1,000.00 |
| Sell prohibited fireworks | 466-4D | $1,000.00 |
| Sell/display fireworks/special effect pyrotechnics without permanent fireworks vendor permit | 466-13D | $1,000.00 |
| Sell consumer fireworks without a fireworks vendor’s permit | 466-13E | $1,000.00 |
| Sell consumer fireworks on day other than Victoria Day/Canada Day/seven-day period before Canada Day without a permanent fireworks vendor’s permit | 466-13F | $1,000.00 |
| Sell fireworks without posting fireworks vendor’s permit as required | 466-13I | $1,000.00 |
| Sell fireworks without complying with fireworks vendor’s permit | 466-13K(1) | $1,000.00 |
| Sell fireworks from location not set out in fireworks vendor’s permit | 466-13K(2) | $1,000.00 |
| Sell fireworks not included in list of authorized explosives as published by the Explosives Branch of National Resources Canada | 466-13K(3) | $1,000.00 |
| Display of fireworks for sale in unsuitable container/near inflammable goods/within reach of minors/accessible to public | 466-13K(4) | $1,000.00 |
| Sale of consumer fireworks in lots exceeding 25 kilograms gross weight | 466-13K(5) | $600.00 |
| Sale of consumer fireworks without ensuring enough separation between lots of fireworks to prevent spreading of fire | 466-13K(6) | $600.00 |
| Display fireworks with explosive content in shop window | 466-13K(7) | $600.00 |
| Sell fireworks where fireworks are exposed to sun/excess heat | 466-13K(8) | $600.00 |
| Sell fireworks without posting “NO SMOKING” sign in display area | 466-13K(9) | $1,000.00 |
| Smoke/ignite any flammable material or possess lighted match/lighter/pipe/cigar/cigarette/open flame/spark emitting device where fireworks displayed | 466-13K(9) | $600.00 |
| Sale of fireworks without ensuring fireworks on display are attended by employee | 466-13K(10) | $600.00 |
| Store fireworks in vehicle | 466-13K(12) | $800.00 |
| Sale of fireworks without displaying/providing information/brochures to purchasers of fireworks as required by Explosives Act or supplied by manufacturer or the City. | 466-13L | $400.00 |
| Sale of fireworks to minor | 466-13M | $1,000.00 |
| Sale of fireworks without instructing/ensuring compliance of employees with Chapter 466, Fireworks | 466-13N | $1,000.00 |
| Sell display fireworks/special effect pyrotechnics from a temporary mobile retail outlet | 466-14B | $1,000.00 |
| Own/operate a temporary mobile retail outlet without a permit | 466-14C | $1,000.00 |
| Sell consumer fireworks from a temporary mobile retail outlet without a permit | 466-14C | $1,000.00 |
| Store fireworks at mobile retail outlet less than 20 metres from any road | 466-14F(1) | $800.00 |
| Store fireworks at mobile retail outlet less than 30 metres from any occupied building/dwelling | 466-14F(2) | $800.00 |
| Store consumer fireworks at mobile retail outlet less than 30 metres from gas station/place that stores/sells explosives/highly flammable substances | 466-14F(3) | $800.00 |
| Failure to maintain two unobstructed exits to temporary mobile retail outlet with public access | 466-14J | $1,000.00 |
| Failure to post “NO SMOKING” signs as required at temporary mobile retail outlet | 466-14K | $800.00 |
| Failure to maintain two operational fire extinguishers as required at temporary mobile retail outlet | 466-14L | $800.00 |
| Failure to notify fireworks vendor’s permit issuer of change of information/documents submitted with fireworks vendor’s permit application | 466-15G | $400.00 |
| Advertise/promote the sale of fireworks under a name not endorsed on the fireworks vendor’s permit | 466-16B | $1,000.00 |
| Failure/refusal to comply with law enforcement officer request for document/thing/information | 466-17B(3) | $1,000.00 |
| Failure to comply with an order | 466-17I(1) | $1,000.00 |