DPER
35050 SE Douglas St., Ste. 210
Snoqualmie, WA 98065-9266

Fireworks regulations and safety

Fireworks regulations for unincorporated King County apply to those areas outside the jurisdiction of local cities. For more information on fireworks regulations inside city limits, contact the city (external link) directly.

New Year's holiday

Washington State law and King County ordinance allow fireworks to be discharged for the celebration of the New Year holiday.

In unincorporated King County:

  • Fireworks may be discharged only from 6 p.m. on December 31 until 1 a.m. on January 1.
  • Fireworks sales for New Year's celebrations are legal beginning at noon on December 27 until 11 p.m., then daily from noon to 11 p.m. through December 31.
  • To purchase fireworks you must be at least 16 years of age with picture identification.
  • Fireworks permit: Application for temporary stand / tent form available in fill-in Word (63KB) or PDF (29KB) format.

Fourth of July holiday

In unincorporated King County:

  • Fireworks may be discharged only on July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight.
  • Fireworks sales are legal beginning at noon on June 28 until 11 p.m. and then daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. through July 4. No sales can occur after July 4.
  • To purchase fireworks you must be at least 16 years of age with picture identification.
  • Fireworks permit: Application for temporary stand / tent form available in fill-in Word (63KB) or PDF (29KB) format.
Discharge regulations for incorporated King County cities

The following regulations were in effect for the year 2010. For external links to individual cities, go to local city Web sites (external link). If you're not sure if property is in unincorporated King County or within city limits, check jurisdiction online.

City Fireworks discharge regulations
Auburn 4th of July only
Bellevue Banned
Black Diamond 4th of July only
Bothell 4th of July only
Burien Banned
Carnation Banned
Clyde Hill Banned
Covington 4th of July only
Des Moines Banned
Duvall 4th of July only
Enumclaw 4th of July only
Federal Way Banned
Hunts Point Banned
Issaquah Banned
Kenmore Banned
Kent 4th of July only
Kirkland Banned
Lake Forest Park Banned
Maple Valley 4th of July only
Medina Banned
Mercer Island 4th of July only
Newcastle Banned
Normandy Park June 28 to July 4
North Bend 4th of July only
Pacific 4th of July only
Redmond Banned
Renton Banned
Sammamish Banned
SeaTac Banned
Seattle Banned
Shoreline Banned
Skykomish 4th of July only
Snoqualmie 4th of July only
Tukwila Banned
Woodinville Banned
Yarrow Point Banned

Fireworks safety

Please take the following precautions with all fireworks:

  • Use only approved, legal, and common fireworks from reliable Washington State and King County Fire Marshal licensed retailers.
  • Always have a responsible adult light all fireworks.
  • Have a charged garden hose or a fire extinguisher handy.
  • Use fireworks under outdoor conditions only, away from buildings, houses with wood shingles, trees, and dry fields.
  • Avoid aerial type fireworks.
  • Light one item at a time, move away quickly, and keep a safe distance away.
  • Dispose of used fireworks by first soaking them in water.
  • Ensure the safety of pets.
  • Use eye protection.
  • Remember your neighbors and clean up all debris.
  • If a device does not light or fire, an adult should wait at least a minimum of five minutes before approaching the device.
  • Remember, if it has a stick or fins and it goes up or if it blows up, it is illegal in Washington State.
  • Rather than buying fireworks, attend a public fireworks display when available and make that a family tradition.

*external link