Fireworks

The City of Cambridge allows for the sale and setting off of fireworks for Victoria Day, Canada Day and Diwali. Read below for more information on public and private fireworks displays, fireworks sales, and safety.

Fireworks safety

  • Choose a wide, clear site away from all obstacles. Refer to safety instructions on the fireworks label for minimum distances from spectators. Recommend that there be a distance of 10 metres or 35 feet away from buildings
  • Never try to light a firework or hold a lit firework in your hand unless the manufacturer’s instructions indicate that they are designed to be hand-held
  • Keep water nearby: Dispose of used fireworks (including debris) in a pail of water
  • Adults setting off fireworks should not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Do not fire in windy conditions
  • Do not smoke while setting off fireworks
  • Discharge fireworks well away from combustible materials like buildings, trees and dry grass
  • Keep sparklers away from children. As the sparkler wire remains hot for some minutes after burnout, it should be immediately soaked in water to avoid injury;
  • Wait at least 30 minutes before approaching a firework that did not go off. Never try to relight a fireworks that did not go off. Never try to fix a firework that is defective

Report an issue:

If you wish to report fireworks being set off outside of the permitted days/times that requires immediate attention, and it is outside of our regular business hours, please contact Waterloo Regional Police Services Non-Emergency Dispatch at (519) 570-9777 and press 1 to dispatch a Municipal By-law Compliance Officer to investigate. 

During regular Business hours Phone: 519-623-1340 or Email: bylaw@cambridge.ca.

Private fireworks displays are permitted between dusk and 11:00 p.m. on Victoria Day, Canada Day and Diwali. 

No fireworks are permitted in public parks or on public roads.

Read the full Bylaw 40-04.

Currently, individuals who wish to host a public fireworks display must submit a Fireworks Display Application to the Clerk’s division, noting particulars of the event and in addition provide proof of liability insurance in the amount of $5,000,000. This application is reviewed by Fire Services and authorization is granted by the Municipal Clerk following review. Please contact clerks@cambridge.ca for more information. 

The sale of fireworks must conform to Section 2 of the Fireworks Bylaw 40-04 and is further regulated through the Business Licensing Bylaw 16-142. These licensing requirements are summarized below:

  1. No Person shall operate a business where fireworks are offered for sale, hereafter referred to as “fireworks retail sales” without a licence.
  2. The manufacture, storage, transportation and sale of fireworks shall conform to the federal “Explosives Act” and “Explosive Regulations”.
  3. The operator shall not transfer the issued licence.
  4. The operator shall not sell by retail or supply any fireworks:
    1. To any Person apparently under the age of eighteen (18) years of age.
    2. To any Person except on Canada Day or on the day fixed by proclamation of the Governor-General for the observation of Victoria Day or the celebration of Diwali and during the preceding ten (10) days prior to the aforementioned holidays; and
  5. The operator shall surrender the licence if the licence has been revoked under resolution of the Council of the Corporation of the City of Cambridge if any of the provisions of this by-law or any other City by-aw or statute enforced by the City of Cambridge has been breached.
  6. In addition to the licensing requirements set out in this by-law, an online application can be completed and you will need the following:

    1. Articles of Incorporation OR Name Registration

    2. Valid Public Liability Insurance

      1. with a minimum of $5,000,000 commercial general liability; and,

      2. the City of Cambridge listed as an additional insured.

    3. Valid Driver’s License

    4. Zoning Approval and Fire Department approval