SE Valley Times

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 through Jan. 3 and can be used in the City from Dec. 26 until Jan. 4 between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m., and from 11 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1. The dates for use of fireworks recently changed due to passage of Arizona House Bill 2255, which became law Oct. 30.

The sale and use of novelties known as snappers (pop-its), party poppers, glow worms, snakes, toy smoke devices and sparklers is permitted at all times.

Legal fireworks allowed from Dec. 26 until Jan. 4 include 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 under 16, that conflicts with state law, 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 fireworks

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 found in Title 6, Chapter 21 of the Mesa City Code pertaining to fireworks and permissible consumer fireworks.

Original source can be found here.