Fireworks

Fireworks light up the night sky

The use and sale of consumer fireworks within Westbrook requires a permit. Additional information may be obtained from the Office of the State Fire Marshall's website. 

We will once again be issuing fireworks permits online, free of charge this year.  We will not be staffing our lobby with any public safety employees and thus, we will not be issuing these permits in person here at Public Safety. 

The website in which individuals can access said permits is www.wardensreport.com

If you need a permit, on the main page you will see a map of the State of Maine.  Click on Cumberland County (which is located on the state map).  You then will need to type in Westbrook, under “town selection.”  From there, they can click on the “fireworks” permit.  Individuals will also be able to access burn permits as well on this website.  This permit will be uploaded and available only on the dates below.  They will not be available prior to the 4th.

Per our ordinance, permits can be requested on July 4th from 9a until 12:30am on July 5th

 They can also get a permit on July 5th starting at 9a until 1230am until 10p on July 6th

The following is an except from the City of Westbrook Ordinance on the sale and use of consumer fireworks.

XIX. Permits for Sales of Consumer Fireworks

Section 20-175. Definitions.

Consumer fireworks. Those types of fireworks included in the definition set forth in 8 M.R.SA. Section 221-A.

Section 20-176. Permit required

No person shall sell consumer fireworks without a permit issued by the City.

Section 20-177. Application procedure.

Applications for permits required by this article shall be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office. Permits shall be issued by the City Clerk’s Office if all of the requirements of Section 20-178 are met.

Section 20-178. Requirements.

  1. An applicant for a permit to sell consumer fireworks must be at least 21 years of age.
  2. An applicant for a permit to sell consumer fireworks must also have a federal permit to sell fireworks under 18 U.SC. Section 843 and a state license issued under 8 M.R.SA. Section 223-A(3) and must provide evidence of required permits and licenses to the City before issuance of the City permit.
  3. An applicant for a permit to sell consumer fireworks shall show evidence of insurance coverage as required by 8 M.R.SA. Section 223-A(5). Such insurance must be maintained throughout the term of the permit
  4. A person selling consumer fireworks must provide proof of compliance with all applicable federal and state requirements, including but not limited to the storage and handling requirements set forth in 8 M.R.SA. Section 223-A(4).
  5. A separate permit shall be required for each location at which the applicant proposes to sell consumer fireworks.
  6. The applicant shall pay a fee for the permit as established in the Master Fee Schedule in Appendix B to this Ordinance. Such fees shall be paid at the time of the application and are non-refundable.
  7. Permits issued under this Article shall not be transferable.

Page 222 - City of Westbrook Code of Ordinances.

Section 20-179. Suspension, revocation of permit; appeal.

A permit issued under this Article may be suspended or revoked by the city clerk upon any of the following:

  1. The permit holder is adjudged to be in violation of any applicable provision of state or federal law.
  2. The permit holder has had either its state license or federal permit suspended or revoked or has failed to renew either such license.

A permit holder may appeal a suspension or revocation to the municipal officers, but no permit shall be reinstated if the permit holder no longer holds a valid state license or federal permit or during any period during which such a license is under suspension.

Section 20-180. Enforcement.

Nothing in this Article shall serve as a limitation upon the enforcement authority granted to City law enforcement officials and the Code Enforcement Officer under 8 M.R.S A. Section 223-A(9). The City may seize consumer fireworks that the City has probable cause to believe are sold in violation of this Ordinance and shall forfeit seized consumer fireworks to the State for disposal. (Ordinance of 7-22-13)

Section 20-181 - 20-185. Reserved

(Ordinance of December 5, 2011)

Article XX. Use of Consumer Fireworks

Sec. 20-186 Definitions 

Consumer fireworks.  Those type of fireworks included in the definition set forth in 8 M.R.S.A., section 221-A

Sec. 20-187 Permit Required

No person shall display, fire or cause to be exploded any type of consumer fireworks within the City of Westbrook without a permit issued by the Public Safety Department.  This requirement shall not apply to any person with a fireworks display permit issued by the State of Maine under the provisions of 8 M.R.S.A., Section 227-A.  Permits issued under this section are not transferable.  The fee for such permits shall be established in the Master Fee Schedule in Appendix B of this Code.  No permit shall be issued any day with a Fire Danger 3, 4, or 5.

Sec. 20-188 Restrictions on use of consumer fireworks

  1. A person may not use consumer fireworks in the City, except that the use of consumer fireworks shall be permitted on the following days and during the following times:
  1. July 4th beginning at 9a and ending at 1230a on July 5th
  2. July 5th beginning at 9a and ending at 10p on July 6th
  1. A person may use consumer fireworks only on that person’s property or on the property of a person who has consented in writing to the use of consumer fireworks on that property.  No person shall use consumer fireworks in any public street or park.  
  2. No person shall display, fire or cause to be exploded any type of consumer fireworks within 20 feet of any building.
  3. No person under 21 years of age shall use or possess consumer fireworks

Sec. 20-189 Enforcement

                Any person who uses consumer fireworks within the City in violation of this Article shall be subject to civil enforcement action and a fine as established by the Master Fine Schedule in Appendix C of this Code.  The City may seize consumer fireworks that the City has probable cause to believe are used in violation of this Ordinance and shall forfeit seized consumer fireworks to the State for disposal.