Fireworks Timing Curtailed in Ann Arbor

Fireworks for the upcoming July 4 holiday will be limited in Ann Arbor to the time between 8 a.m. and midnight – assuming Gov. Rick Snyder signs bill passed by the Michigan House and Senate.

The revision to the city’s fireworks ordinance was given initial approval at the council’s June 3. 2013 meeting. The impact of the ordinance change is to restrict the use of fireworks on July 3-5 to the period between 8 a.m. and midnight on those days. The ordinance change applies to other national holidays as well.

The ordinance change is made possible by an anticipated change to state law, which previously did not allow local governments to regulate fireworks for the continuous 72-hour period for the day preceding a national holiday, the national holiday, and the day following the national holiday. The pending change to state law makes it possible for a local government to regulate the time of firework use around the time of national holidays. The bill has already been approved by the Michigan House and Senate, and is expected to be signed into law by July 4 this year.

This brief was filed from the city council’s chambers on the second floor of city hall, located at 301 E. Huron. A more detailed report will follow: [link]