As Jackson residents plan summer holiday celebrations, they will want to be aware of the City’s Fireworks ordinance.
The Jackson City Council changed the City of Jackson’s Fireworks Ordinance in April 2019 to reflect the new state laws.
The biggest change concerns the number of days the public can use consumer fireworks.
Consumer fireworks are largescale aerial fireworks that shoot into the sky for a large visual effect.
Previously, residents were allowed to use consumer fireworks the day before, the day of, and the day after national holidays.
The City now only allows the use of consumer fireworks on the following dates and times:
- 11:00 a.m. on Dec. 31 until 1:00 a.m. on Jan. 1.
- 11:00 a.m. until 11:45 p.m. on the Saturday and Sunday before Memorial Day.
- 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. June 29 through July 4.
- July 5, if that date is a Friday or Saturday, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 p.m.
- 11:00 a.m. until 11:45 p.m. on the Saturday and Sunday before Labor Day.
This means consumer fireworks will not be allowed on Memorial Day or Labor Day. This year, July 5 is taking place on a Saturday, so consumer fireworks will be permitted on that day.
Because these fireworks cause so much noise, the changes are necessary to not disturb people who have to return to work the next morning.
Additionally, the new changes mandate an increase in the amount of a civil fine for a violation of a local fireworks ordinance from $500 to $1,000.
The use of low-impact fireworks, such as small ground fireworks and hand-held sparkling devices, are not impacted by these changes.