Battle Creek’s Firework’s Rules Could Be Getting Stricter

Battle Creek’s fireworks ordinance could be updated to be much narrower in scope.

When the Battle Creek City Commission meets next Tuesday, an ordinance will be introduced to amend the City’s Fireworks and Noise Control rules to limit the days fireworks are allowed to the following:

• December 31 until 1am on January 1
• The Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding Memorial Day until 11:45pm on each of those days
• June 29 to July 4 until 11:45pm on each of those days
• July 5, if that date is a Friday or Saturday, until 11:45pm
• The Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding Labor Day until 11:45pm on each of those days

All of these days, fireworks use is prohibited before 11am. The ordinance amendment also defines and regulates homemade fireworks, and increases the fine for violating the rules to $1,000 from $500.

The current ordinance allows fireworks to be used on several other national holidays, including Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and MLK Day.

The potential change to city rules comes after the state of Michigan changed their law to allow municipalities to regulate the use of fireworks more strictly.