Information About Mesa Fireworks Sale and Use During Holiday Season

December 10, 2024 at 1:33 pm

Mesa reminds residents to buy and use fireworks during the permissible period to avoid civil or criminal penalties. Legal fireworks are available for sale in Mesa throughJan. 3and can be used in the City fromDec. 26untilJan. 4between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. and from 11 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. onJan. 1.

The sale and use of novelty items such as snappers (pop-its), party poppers, glow worms, snakes, toy smoke devices and sparklers are permitted at all times.

Legal fireworks allowed fromDec. 26untilJan. 4include ground spinners, sparkling wheel devices and cylindrical, square, cone and California rocket-shaped fountains.

Illegal fireworks are bottle rockets, firecrackers, roman candles, aerials and single-tube devices.

Changes approved by Mesa City Council in 2022 created criminal penalties for selling and using illegal fireworks and updated civil penalty fines.

Civil penalties include a minimum $500 fine:

Use of permissible fireworks outside of allowed days/times
Use of permissible fireworks on City property (excluding the right of way)
Failure to display required, permissible consumer fireworks signage at the sale

Class 1 Misdemeanor penalties include a fine of no less than $1,000 and up to $2,500, and a court may impose up to 6 months in jail:

For use, possession, or sale of illegal fireworks
Permissible consumer fireworks sold to anyone under16,that conflicts with statelaw,or on prohibited days
Use of permissible consumer fireworks during stage one or higher fire restriction near protected areas
Failure to obtain a permit for a supervised public display of f ireworks
Failure to comply with permit and safety requirements of A.R.S. 36-1603 (permit for public display)
Three civil violations within 36 months

More information about the sale and use of fireworks in Mesa can be foundin Title 6, Chapter 21 of theMesa City Codepertaining tofireworks and permissible consumer fireworks.