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).
New Jersey law, codified at N.J.S.A. 21:3-1 et seq., generally bans the sale, possession, and use of fireworks. P.L. 2017 c. 92 (signed June 2017, amending R.S.21:2-2, R.S.21:2-3, and R.S.21:3-2) carved out a narrow consumer exemption: hand-held or ground-based sparkling devices (sparklers, snakes, glow worms, smoke devices) and trick noisemakers (party poppers, snappers, drop pops) may be sold to and used by persons aged 16 or older. All other fireworks — bottle rockets, Roman candles, firecrackers, aerial repeaters, mortars — remain illegal for consumer possession or use anywhere in NJ, including Ridgewood. Under P.L. 2017 c. 92, sparkling devices and novelties 'shall not be subject to further regulation by a municipality' under R.S.40:48-1, except that retail storage and sale must follow NFPA 1124 (2006). Public displays remain legal only with a permit from the local fire official under N.J.A.C. 12:194. Ridgewood's only local fireworks-related ordinance is Chapter 221A (Poppers): no person may discharge Poppers (Pop Pop Snappers, Fun Snaps, or similar gunpowder-and-paper toy fireworks) on public streets, sidewalks, parks, or public places at any time, and sale of Poppers is prohibited from May 15 through July 15 and in December of any year. Poppers fall outside the sparkling-devices preemption because the ban applies to public-property discharge and to seasonal sales, not to private possession by adults. Public fireworks displays at the annual Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration are permitted exhibits under state license.
Possessing or using non-permitted consumer fireworks (aerial repeaters, firecrackers, bottle rockets, mortars) is a disorderly persons offense under N.J.S.A. 21:3-2, punishable by up to 6 months in jail and up to a $1,000 fine. Sale of unpermitted fireworks is a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months and $10,000 fine). Discharging or selling Poppers in violation of Ridgewood Chapter 221A is a municipal ordinance violation, with penalties imposed under the general penalty provision of the Village Code and N.J.S.A. 40:49-5 (up to $2,000 per offense and up to 90 days imprisonment, with each day a separate offense). The Ridgewood Police Department and Fire Marshal enforce both state and local fireworks rules.
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