Macomb Township Bans Fireworks Except on 30 Days a Year

Saving a few extra fireworks for a post-July 4 celebration? Think again. The Macomb Township board of trustees amended its fireworks ordinance Wednesday to effectively ban fireworks use all but 30 days a year.

Following the lead of cities such as , , and , Macomb Township’s ordinance will allow the ignition, discharge and use of consumer fireworks on only those days specified under the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act – namely the day before, day of and day after a national holiday.

With 10 national holidays in the United States, this translates to 30 days on which fireworks will be allowed in Macomb. The 335 days remaining are off limits under the amended ordinance.

The penalty for violating this ordinance is a $500 fine and/or 90 days in jail.

“This will take away any question of whether we do or don’t allow fireworks,” Macomb Township Clerk Michael Koehs said of the ordinance.

The amended ordinance will go into effect 30 days after it is published in a newspaper of record. While this won’t be in time for July 4 celebrations, Koehs said residents can always invoke the township’s disturbing the peace ordinance to report fireworks issues to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office.

Residents who wish to report disturbances of the peace can call the sheriff’s dispatch at 586-469-3001.

The 10 national holidays recognized by the ordinance include:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Day
• President's Day or Washington's Birthday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Columbus Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

Do the fireworks drive your pet crazy? provided by local residents on how to keep your furry friends calm during fireworks season.

Want more news? Sign up for the Macomb Patch newsletter and have headlines sent to your email inbox daily.