With the 4th of July less than a month away, those wishing to set off fireworks in Grand Rapids should take pause. On Tuesday evening, city commissioners reduced the number of days that residents can lawfully set them off.
The commission reduced the number of days from 30 to 11 that residents can now light fireworks off inside city limits, and during the Independence Day holiday season, firecracker enthusiasts now have just June 29th to July 4th to celebrate. The city commission made wiggle room for the of 5th of July, provided it falls on a Friday or Saturday, which it does this year.
For residents who may be tired of hearing fireworks in the middle of the night, its good news, as the city commission ruled Tuesday that fireworks can only be set off from 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m., and, City Commissioners apparently are serious about the new rules.
Previously, the City’s fine structure for setting off fireworks when they are prohibited was $50 for the first offense, and $100 for a repeat offense. Now, it’s a civil fine of $1,000 for each violation.
Late last year, The Michigan Legislature amended the state’s fireworks regulations changing previous laws governing state-level regulation of the fireworks industry and local authority regulations. Grand Rapids’ revised ordinance follows in those footsteps.