July 4 means fireworks for many, but it can also mean legal penalties for those who do not observe local ordinances.
In the City of Columbia, fireworks are permitted between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., except on July 4 and New Year’s Eve, when use is allowed until 12:30 a.m.
Fireworks are not permitted in City parks. Unlawful actions include:
- Directing fireworks toward people, animals, or buildings.
- Igniting fireworks on someone else’s property without permission.
- Selling fireworks to individuals under 14 without parental supervision.
- Using fireworks within 600 feet of a church, hospital, or public school.
- Discharging fireworks in or from vehicles, or throwing them at vehicles.
- Each violation is subject to a civil penalty of up to $100. Repeated offenses at the same location may result in the property being designated as a public nuisance under City Code.
In unincorporated Richland County, an ordinance makes it unlawful for a person to use, discharge, shoot or ignite fireworks or similar explosives within between the hours of 10 p.m. (except on July 5 and Jan. 1, when they are permitted until 1 a.m.) and 7 a.m. Persons may not:
- Negligently, recklessly, or intentionally direct the discharge of fireworks toward a structure, animal or person
- Intentionally detonate fireworks upon the land of another without express prior consent
- Intentionally dump, throw, drop, deposit, discard or otherwise fire onto another’s property without express prior consent
- Offer for sale or sell permissible fireworks to children under the age of 16, unless accompanied by a parent
- Ignite or detonate fireworks within 600 feet of a church, hospital or public school unless authorized by the proper officials or managers of the property during the times allowable
- Ignite or detonate fireworks within or discharge from a motor vehicle
- Place or throw an ignited firework into a motor vehicle
The ordinance does not prohibit the use of fireworks during daylight hours…