East Brunswick, NJ Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)

Chapter 104 of the East Brunswick Township Code, Fireworks Displays, Commercial, was adopted by the Township Council on 1-24-2022 as Ord. No. 22-04. It defines a firework display as a show or public event, operated by a licensed firework contractor, in which large numbers of fireworks are let off simultaneously or in immediate succession.

Section 104-2 requires a permit from the Township Clerk before anyone conducts or sets off a display, or has one conducted on their behalf, on any property within the Township. Applications are filed no earlier than 90 days and no later than 30 days before the date.

Section 104-3 stacks limits on top of the permit. Only one display can be conducted in the Township per month, except May through September, which allows two per month. Historical uses, such as the beginning and end of the Middlesex County Fair and the Township Fourth of July celebration, and other Township-sponsored events, do not count toward the monthly totals. A display runs no longer than 20 minutes and concludes by 9:35 p.m., or by 8:00 p.m. in the months of November through March. No permit issues for a date that immediately precedes an East Brunswick School District school day. Displays use color only shells, and salute shells or combined color and salute shells are prohibited. The time and shell limits do not apply to Township-sponsored displays or to the displays at the beginning or end of the Middlesex County Fair. East Brunswick based not-for-profit entities can ask the Township Council for permits beyond the monthly limits, and the Council approves or rejects those requests in its sole and absolute discretion.

The application needs the contractor's license and certificate of insurance naming the Township as an additional insured, with property damage and personal injury limits of not less than $1,000,000/$2,000,000 and umbrella coverage of $4,000,000. It also needs an indemnification and release, a $1,000 application fee ($250 for East Brunswick based not-for-profit entities) plus any additional Township costs such as police presence, and a $3,500 surety bond or cash escrow. The permittee clears debris from Township-owned property no later than one hour after sunrise the next morning and repairs any Township property damage within five calendar days.

A denial by the Township Clerk can be appealed to the Township Council by written notice filed within 10 days (§ 104-4), and the Council's decision after a hearing is final. Separately, § 158-8(B) bars anyone in a Township park from possessing or setting off firecrackers, rockets or other fireworks.