Royal Oak to Use Ordinance to Retain Some Control of State-Allowed Fireworks Sales

It isn’t a question of whether Royal Oak will allow fireworks sales this summer, but rather an issue of when you can ignite, discharge or use consumer fireworks.

According to the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act, which went into effect on Jan. 1 of this year, “A local unit of government shall not enact or enforce an ordinance, code, or regulation pertaining to or in any manner regulating the sale, display, storage, transportation, or distribution of fireworks regulated under this act.”

However, a local unit of government may regulate the ignition, discharge and use of consumer fireworks, according to a memo to members of the City Commission from David Gillam, city attorney.

With July 4 quickly approaching, the City Commission will consider a new fireworks ordinance that prohibits the use of consumer fireworks on any day other than the day before, day of, and day after a national holiday. The national holidays are: New Year’s Eve, Martin Luther King Day, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The new ordinance will also prohibit the possession of consumer fireworks by a minor. Consumer fireworks do not include ground and handheld sparkling devices.

If passed, violators of the new fireworks ordinance may be fined up to $500 and, in addition to the penalty, required to reimburse the city for costs associated with storing, disposing of, or destroying confiscated fireworks.

The City Commission meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the .