Chelan County, WA Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- Retail permit fee
- $50 plus $300 bond
- Discharge status
- banned since Res. 2016-61
- Public display permit fee
- $40
- Liability insurance required
- $1 million per event
- 1st offense penalty
- civil infraction up to $130
Summary
Retail fireworks sales in unincorporated Chelan County require a $50 fire marshal permit plus a $300 bond under Section 7.44.040, but actually discharging fireworks anywhere in the unincorporated county has been banned outright since Resolution 2016-61, "until further noticed," per the code reviser's note to Section 7.44.055.
(a) Fee. In addition to obtaining the state license from the State Fire Marshal, each individual, organization, or other entity desiring to sell fireworks at retail within the unincorporated section of Chelan County shall obtain a fireworks permit from the Chelan County fire marshal. The fee shall be fifty dollars. (b) There shall also be posted a cash bond in the amount of three hundred dollars to assure the timely and orderly removal of the temporary stand and associated appurtenances within ten days of the expiration of the permit. This amount is refundable upon satisfactory final inspection. ... Code reviser's note: Res. 2016-61 provides that "the Chelan County Commissioners prohibit the discharge of fireworks in the unincorporated areas of Chelan County until further noticed."
Full Breakdown
Chapter 7.44 implements the state fireworks law at Chapter 70.77 RCW and Chapter 212-17 WAC, and Section 7.44.020 applies it to fireworks stored, transported, sold, possessed, or discharged anywhere in the county. Section 7.44.030 splits fireworks into "common" items like sparklers, fountains, and ground spinners and "special fireworks" like firecrackers, rockets, and Roman candles. A retailer needs a state license plus a $50 county permit from the Chelan County fire marshal, and must post a refundable $300 cash bond to guarantee removal of the temporary stand within ten days after the permit expires (Section 7.44.040).
Stand siting rules in Section 7.44.050 require at least 50 feet from other buildings, 250 feet from gas stations or hazardous fire areas, 250 feet between competing stands, two clear exits, two 2.5-gallon extinguishers, a 25-foot cleared perimeter, no sales to anyone under 16, an attendant 21 or older, and at least 15 parking spaces. Section 7.44.055 once allowed discharge of common fireworks from 6 p.m. December 31 to 1 a.m. January 1, and Section 7.44.060 once allowed retail sales from noon to 10 p.m.
December 27 through 31, but a code reviser's note attached to Section 7.44.055 records that Resolution 2016-61 has the Board of County Commissioners prohibiting discharge in the unincorporated county until it says otherwise. Public displays need a separate $40 fire marshal permit and pre-event inspection (Section 7.44.070), and any permit holder besides a public-display operator must carry at least $1 million in general liability insurance naming the county as an additional insured (Section 7.44.090). The Fire Marshal's Office also independently bars all fireworks use, display, and discharge countywide during fire hazard season under Section 7.52.040, except by written permit to licensed pyrotechnic companies.
Violations & Fines
Section 7.44.095 makes a first violation a civil infraction up to $130, a second within five years up to $250, and a third within five years a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine, with the court able to order restitution for any resulting damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I legally set off fireworks in unincorporated Chelan County?
What does it cost to run a retail fireworks stand?
What insurance does a fireworks permit holder need?
What's the penalty for illegally discharging fireworks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chelan County
Compare Chelan County to another location·View the Washington fire regulations overview
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