Are Fireworks Legal in Sanford?

During this time of year, the Sanford Police Department receives countless complaints about fireworks. Please remember that fireworks are not allowed to be set off in Sanford/Springvale, except with a permit under the supervision of municipal officers. You risk hefty fines as well as setting fire to your neighborhood, house, and property. You also risk causing psychological harm to combat veterans and other individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder. The noise of fireworks is stressful for many pets as well.

The City has an ordinance that is more restrictive than the state law. The Sanford/Springvale fireworks ordinance reads:

No person shall discharge any fireworks within the corporate boundaries of the Town of Sanford. Nothing in this section shall be so construed as to prohibit a public display of fireworks under supervision of the municipal officers of the Town.

The ordinance also clarifies:

The term “fireworks” does not include toy pistols, toy canes, toy guns or other devices in which paper caps or plastic caps containing 25/100 grains or less of explosive compound are used if they are constructed so that the hand cannot come in contact with the cap when in place for the explosion, toy pistol paper caps or plastic caps that contain less than 20/100 grains of explosive mixture, sparklers that do not contain magnesium chlorates or perchlorates or signal, antique or replica cannons if no projectile is fired.

The term “corporate boundaries” means anywhere within the City of Sanford and Village of Springvale. The fines for a violation of this ordinance are as follows: first violation: $500, second violation: $750, third violation: $1,000.

To report someone setting off fireworks, call 911. Be aware that officers cannot charge someone with a violation unless they witness it.