Borough Firework Ordinance

The Biglerville Borough has an ordinance regarding the use of fireworks within the Borough limits. 

Please see the ordinance below for specifications.

§ 6-601General Provisions.

[Ord. 5-2001, 9/4/2001, § 1]1. Scope. The manufacture, display or discharge of fireworks is prohibited within the Borough of Biglerville.2. Definition. A. The term "fireworks" shall mean and include any combustible or explosive composition or any substance or combination of substances, or, except as hereinafter provided, any article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or an audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation, and shall include blank cartridges and toy cannons in which explosives are used, the type of balloons which require fire underneath to propel the same, firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, Roman candles, aerial fireworks or other fireworks of like construction, and any fireworks containing any explosive or flammable compound or any tablets or other device containing an explosive substance. B. The term "fireworks" shall not include sparklers, toy pistols, toy canes, toy guns or other devices in which paper caps containing 0.25 grain or less of explosive compound are used, providing they are so constructed that the band cannot come in contact with the cap when in place for the explosion, and toy pistol paper caps which contain less than 0.20 grain of explosive mixture, the sale and use of which operate on the principle of mixing calcium carbide, weighting less than 0.10 of an ounce, and water in the reservoir of the cannon and in which ignition results upon the creation of a spark.

§ 6-602Penalties.

[Ord. 5-2001, 9/4/2001, § 2; as amended by Ord. 6-2003, 9/2/2003, § 1]Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this Part shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000 and, in default of payment, to imprisonment for a term not to exceed 30 days. Every day that a violation of this Part continues shall constitute a separate offense. The fire official shall seize, take, remove or cause to be removed at the expense of the owner all stocks of fireworks offered or exposed for display, stored or held in violation of this Part.

PA State Ordinance

Pennsylvania has a State Law that supersedes local law ONLY on these specific days: July, 2nd, 3rd & 4th, and December 31st. 

For more information please visit the state's website at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/psp/resources/safety-resources/fireworks-faq 

Please see the state specifications below.

Which fireworks are residents allowed to purchase and use?

Consumers can purchase and use “Class C” or “consumer-grade” fireworks such as firecrackers, Roman candles, bottle rockets, and similar fireworks that contain a maximum of 50 milligrams of explosive material.

“Display fireworks” are only to be used by professionals with a permit from the municipality where the display will take place. Display fireworks include salutes that contain more than two grains or 130 milligrams of explosive materials and professional-grade aerial shells containing more than 60 grams of pyrotechnic compositions.

Who can purchase fireworks?

Anyone over the age of 18 years can purchase, possess and use consumer fireworks. Consumer fireworks do not include “ground and hand-held sparkling devices”, “novelties” and “toy caps,” which are permitted at all times throughout the Commonwealth.

What are the restrictions on their use?

• Cannot be ignited or discharged on public or private property without express permission of the property owner
• Cannot be directed at another person
• Cannot be discharged from or directed at a building or vehicle
• Cannot be discharged within 150 feet of a building or vehicle regardless if the building or vehicle is owned by the user of the consumer fireworks
• Cannot be discharged while the person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance or another drug
• Municipalities may restrict use of consumer fireworks between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m. except:
  • July 2, 3, 4 and Dec. 31 when they may be used until 1 a.m.
  • If July 4 falls on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday they may be used until 1 a.m. on the immediately preceding and following Friday and Saturday
• The following may take, remove or cause to be removed all stocks of consumer or display fireworks sold, used, stored, or held in violation of this law:
  • PSP
  • Act 120 certified municipal police officers
  • a sheriff or sheriff’s deputy
  • A member of a Pennsylvania bomb squad accredited by the FBI and certified in hazardous devices training

Check with your local municipality for applicable local ordinances.