FLINT, Michigan—Mayor Sheldon Neeley and City Council President Monica Galloway are teaming up to ask residents to be courteous of their neighbors and the elderly as they look to celebrate Independence Day.
The City of Flint, in general, limits the use of fireworks to the day before, the day of and the day after major holidays and bans the use of fireworks between the hours of midnight and 8 a.m.
Based on state law, fireworks also are allowed from June 29 to July 4 from 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. in celebration of Independence Day.
“Please be mindful of your neighbors,” Mayor Sheldon Neeley said. “While it may seem harmless, your elderly neighbors, families with young children, and those with household pets are being significantly impacted.”
Council President Galloway noted, “The safety of our residents must always be considered. Many times, these fireworks give the sound of gunshots and may cause fear. Please be courteous.”
State law also allows for fireworks the Saturday and Sunday preceding Labor Day as well as New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Fireworks laws have undergone significant change in Michigan over the last decade, including a brief period during which almost all fireworks restrictions were lifted. It remains legal to buy and possess fireworks at any time, but the state now allows cities to significantly limit their use (except for a few key days including from June 29 to July 4).
The City of Flint statute also currently allows for fireworks on the day before, the day of and the day after these holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Columbus Day/Indigenous People’s Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Violation of the ordinance is punishable by a $500 fine and seizure of fireworks.
The regulations do not apply to low-impact or novelty fireworks, which are often handheld or stay on the ground.
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