We know that some folks just cannot celebrate Independence Day without the boom, flash, and sizzle of fireworks. While we encourage anyone wanting to enjoy fireworks to take advantage of the July 4th events at Wills Park, we also know that some of you will choose to use your own consumer fireworks, instead. For those who do (and their neighbors), we want to share a few reminders ahead of Independence Day:
* Georgia Law stipulates that the use of consumer fireworks is legal until 11:59 PM statewide around certain holidays: on January 1, the last Saturday and Sunday in May (before Memorial Day), July 3 and 4, the first Monday in September (Labor Day), and December 31. Additionally, State Law allows the use of consumer fireworks on January 1 from 12:00 AM (midnight) to 1:00 AM.
* Outside of those specific days, the use of consumer fireworks is permitted under Georgia Law beginning at 10:00 AM and ending at 11:59 PM on any day unless such use violates the local jurisdiction’s general noise ordinance. That law further stipulates that such ordinance must be a general noise ordinance that does not apply solely to fireworks and must have been adopted on or after July 01, 2018. The City of Alpharetta’s ordinance does not meet these requirements.
* Fireworks cannot be used within any park or other City property without a permit, which we offer only as part of a City-partnered special event.
* Fireworks cannot be used within the right-of-way of any public road, street, highway, or railroad.
* Please be respectful and courteous to your neighbors who may not enjoy fireworks, may suffer from PTSD, or may have pets that are frightened by them. Also, remember that not everyone has July 5th off from work and may be trying to sleep. If you plan to use fireworks, we encourage you to talk with your neighbors ahead of time and try to accommodate their needs.
* If you are someone who does not like fireworks, please remember that Georgia law does allow those over age 18 to use them within the hours noted above. If a neighbor who plans to use fireworks comes to talk with you ahead of time, be respectful of their rights under the law and keep in mind that they are talking with you out of courtesy.
If you notice fireworks being used outside of the allowed times, please call us while it is happening. We cannot really do anything after the fact. To report possible unlawful use of fireworks, please call the non-emergency line for our Department of Public Safety at 678-297-6300, select Option 1 and provide as much detail as possible with respect to your location and where you believe the fireworks are being used.
Above all, please be safe and treat one another as you would want to be treated.