Mesa is reminding its residents to adhere to the designated period for purchasing and using fireworks during the holiday season to avoid facing civil or criminal penalties. Fireworks that are legal in Mesa can be bought until January 3 and are permitted for use from December 26 through January 4, between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m., with an extended window from 11 p.m. on December 31 to 1 a.m. on January 1.
The sale and use of certain novelty items such as snappers (pop-its), party poppers, glow worms, snakes, toy smoke devices, and sparklers are allowed at any time.
During the permissible period, legal fireworks include ground spinners, sparkling wheel devices, and cylindrical, square, cone, and California rocket-shaped fountains. However, bottle rockets, firecrackers, roman candles, aerials, and single-tube devices remain illegal.
Changes made by the Mesa City Council in 2022 introduced criminal penalties for selling and using illegal fireworks and updated fines for civil violations.
Civil penalties start at a minimum fine of $500 for:
- Using permissible fireworks outside of the designated days or times
- Using permissible fireworks on city property (excluding rights of way)
- Failing to display required signage for permissible consumer fireworks at points of sale
Class 1 Misdemeanor penalties include fines ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 and up to six months in jail for:
- The use, possession, or sale of illegal fireworks
- Selling permissible consumer fireworks to anyone under 16 years old or against state law on prohibited days
- Using permissible consumer fireworks during stage one or higher fire restrictions near protected areas
- Failing to obtain a permit for supervised public displays of fireworks
- Non-compliance with permit and safety requirements outlined in A.R.S. 36-1603 (permit for public display)
- Accumulating three civil violations within a span of 36 months
Further details about the sale and use of fireworks in Mesa can be found in Title 6, Chapter 21 of the Mesa City Code regarding fireworks and permissible consumer fireworks.
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