Family Fireworks Sales Permit

Under the City of Hamilton's Regulate the Sale and Use of Fireworks By-Law 02-285, no person can offer for sale, cause or permit to be sold, sell or otherwise distribute family fireworks unless the vendor has obtained a Family Fireworks Sales Permit.

Important Information:

• All vendors need to purchase a Family Fireworks Sales Permit from the Hamilton Fire Department to legally sell fireworks. Note that fireworks cannot be sold until your inspection has been completed and the fireworks sales permit has been issued. 

• Family fireworks may only be sold on Victoria Day and Canada Day national holidays and the 7 days preceding the holidays.

• Upon submission of your application Fire Prevention will email you a copy of the Fireworks Sales Checklist which will outline how to be in compliance with applicable fireworks sales regulations.

• If you request a permit and you are not the property owner, you will need to provide a written letter signed by the owner to Fire Prevention.

• For trailer permits only a transient license needs to be obtained prior to the inspection and a copy of transient license must be provided to Fire Prevention.

Fees & Description of Permits and Inspections

Permits for fireworks are available leading up to Victoria Day & Canada Day.

Family Fireworks Sale Permit – Store
Fee $504.80 (including HST) Effective January 1, 2025
Description: This is to request a permit and inspection to allow a store to sell Family Fireworks during the specific weeks of the year. This fee includes a physical inspection of the sales location by Fire Prevention staff and, if approved, a permit to sell fireworks. Note that if during an inspection a site is not approved to sell fireworks, no refund will be given.

Family Fireworks Sale Permit – Trailer
Fee $561.90 (including HST) Effective January 1, 2025
Description: This is to request a permit and inspection to allow a trailer to sell Family Fireworks during the specific weeks of the year. This fee includes a physical inspection of the trailer by Fire Prevention staff and, if approved, a permit to sell fireworks. Note that if during an inspection a site is not approved to sell fireworks, no refund will be given.

How to Request a Permit and Inspection

You will need to apply and pay for your Fireworks Permit and Inspection in-person at any of the Municipal Service Centres. Municipal Service Centres are open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (except Dundas and Flamborough that are closed Fridays & Ancaster is closed for the month of May).

Note: applications completed at the Municipal Service Centre will be emailed to Fire Prevention for follow up (i.e. Fire Prevention staff will be in contact with you for next steps). Your permit will only be approved once an Inspector reviews and officially issues the permit (i.e. sales cannot take place until you receive your permit from the Fire Department).