Fireworks: Englewood vs Ridgewood

Fireworks in Englewood are governed by New Jersey state law: N.J.S.A. 21:2-1 et seq. and 21:3-1 et seq., as amended by P.L. 2017, c. 92. Only non-explosive, non-aerial hand-held or ground-based sparkling devices, snakes, glow worms, smoke devices, and trick noisemakers are legal for personal use; aerial and explosive fireworks remain illegal. Englewood enforces the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code locally under Chapter 212 (Fire Prevention) of the City Code, adopted October 5, 2004 under the Uniform Fire Safety Act.

Consumer fireworks in Ridgewood are governed primarily by New Jersey state law, not a local fireworks chapter. Aerial and explosive fireworks remain illegal under N.J.S.A. 21:3-1 et seq. P.L. 2017 c. 92 narrowly legalized non-aerial sparkling devices (sparklers, snakes, glow worms) and novelties (party poppers, snappers, drop pops) for persons 16 and over and preempts local regulation of those items. Ridgewood does, however, prohibit the discharge of toy 'Poppers' on public streets, sidewalks, parks, and public places, and bans the sale of Poppers from May 15 to July 15 and during December (Village Code Chapter 221A).