Sandy, UT Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- Discharge ban
- Mountainous/brush areas, WUI, § 20-6-4
- Buffer distance
- 200 ft from waterways, canyons, trails
- Retail license
- Required under § 20-5-3
- Display permit
- 20 days advance notice, § 20-6-3
- Display insurance
- $2,000,000 per occurrence minimum
- Penalty
- Class B misdemeanor, §§ 20-5-8, 20-8-2
Summary
Sandy City prohibits discharging fireworks in mountainous or brush-covered terrain, within 200 feet of waterways, trails, canyons or vacant lots, and anywhere in the wildland urban interface, citing hazardous environmental conditions. Retail sellers need a city license, and public displays need a Fire Chief-approved permit and insurance.
Due to the presence of existing hazardous environmental conditions, the discharge of fireworks, as defined in U.C.A. 1953, § 53-7-202(14), is hereby prohibited within, into, or over the following areas: Mountainous, brush-covered, forest-covered, or dry grass-covered areas; Within 200 feet of waterways, trails, canyons, washes, ravines, vacant lots, or similar areas where natural or unmaintained vegetation is present; The wildland urban interface area, which means the line, area, or zone where structures or other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland or land being used for an agricultural purpose; and Those areas of the City specifically described as prohibited in Exhibit "B" of the ordinance from which this section is derived, copies of which ordinance and exhibit have been filed for use and examination by public in the office of the Sandy City Recorder.
Full Breakdown
A. 1953 Section 53-7-202(14), "within, into, or over" mountainous, brush-covered, forest-covered, or dry grass-covered areas; within 200 feet of waterways, trails, canyons, washes, ravines, vacant lots, or similar areas of natural or unmaintained vegetation; anywhere in the wildland urban interface area; and in additional areas the City Council designated in Exhibit B of the underlying ordinance, on file with the City Recorder. The chapter states this ban exists "due to the presence of existing hazardous environmental conditions," reflecting Sandy's foothill and canyon terrain along the Wasatch Front.
Separately, Chapter 20-5 regulates the retail side: Section 20-5-3 requires anyone selling Class C common state-approved fireworks to first obtain a license from Sandy City, displayed at the stand for inspection on request. A license application under Section 20-5-4 must include a fee, a site map, and commercial general liability insurance of at least $2,000,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 in property damage, naming the City as an additional insured. Stands must be removed by August 1, January 8, or seven days after Chinese New Year under Section 20-5-6, backed by a $1,000 bond to guarantee removal and site cleanup.
Public fireworks displays require a separate Fire Chief-approved permit under Section 20-6-2, filed at least 20 days in advance with a $2,000,000 liability bond, and the Fire Chief can revoke a display permit or halt a show in progress because of wind, dryness, or other fire risk factors.
Violations & Fines
Selling fireworks other than those authorized, or violating any other provision of the retail fireworks chapter, is a Class B misdemeanor under Section 20-5-8, and illegally sold fireworks may be seized and destroyed with the seller's license revoked under Section 20-5-2. Discharging fireworks in a prohibited area under Section 20-6-4 is likewise enforced as a Title 20 fire code violation, carrying the Class B misdemeanor penalty set out in Section 20-8-2, with each ten-day continuation of a violation charged as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set off fireworks near Little Cottonwood Canyon in Sandy?
Do I need a license to sell fireworks in Sandy?
What's the penalty for illegally discharging fireworks in Sandy?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sandy
How Sandy compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·Compare Sandy to another location·View the Utah fire regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Fireworks in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Salt Lake County handle fireworks.