Permit for Public Fireworks Display

Permit Required. All non-household commercial institutions desiring to discharge, fire or explode fireworks for a public display, including such use in parades, shall apply in writing for a permit therefor to the Chief of Police and to the Fire Chief at least five (5) working days before the proposed date of the display. The application shall state the name and address of the applicant; the name, age and address of the person who shall operate the display; the time, date and place of the display and the purpose or occasion for which the display is to be presented.Liability Coverage Required. No permit shall be issued under this Section unless the applicant shall present, at his or her option, either:A written certificate of an insurance carrier that it has issued to or for the benefit of the applicant a policy providing for the payment of damages in the amount of at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) for injury to, or death of, any one (1) person, and subject to this limitation for one (1) person, in the amount of at least one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) for injury to, or death of, two (2) or more persons, and in the amount of at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) for damage to property, caused by reason of the authorized display and arising from any tortious acts of negligence of the permittee, his or her agents, employees or subcontractors and that the policy is in full force and effect at the date of the certificate and will so continue until at least ten (10) days after date of the public display, orThe bond of a surety company duly authorized to transact business within the State, or a bond with at least two (2) individual sureties who together have assets in the State equal in value to at least twice the amount of the bond, or a deposit of cash, in the amount of at least one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00), conditioned for the payment of all damages which may be caused to any person or property by reason of the authorized display and arising out of any tortious acts of negligence of the permittee, his or her agents, employees or subcontractor. The security under this Section shall continue in full force and effect until at least ten (10) days after the date of the public display.The Chief of Police may require coverage in amounts larger than the minimum amounts set forth in Paragraphs (1) or (2) of this Subsection if he or she deems it necessary or desirable in consideration of such factors as the location and scale of the display, the type of fireworks to be used and the number of spectators expected.Fire Chief's Review. The Fire Chief shall also review the permit application for the purpose of establishing safe separation distances from structures, other combustibles, and spectator viewing areas; to determine the boundaries of a safe fallout zone; to ensure that life safety and fire prevention concerns are addressed; and that adequate fire protection measures are available for immediate use.Issuance of Permit. The Chief of Police and the Fire Chief, after being satisfied that the display will be handled by a competent operator and that the display will not be hazardous to property and that it will not endanger any person or persons, shall issue a permit for the public display. The permit shall authorize the holder to display fireworks only at the place and only during the time set forth therein, and to purchase or acquire and possess the specified fireworks between the date of the issuance of the permit and the time during which the display of the fireworks is authorized."Competent operator" shall mean a person or persons with current certification and license to operate fireworks displays as recognized by the Chief of Police and the Fire Chief. This provision is applicable to those events where aerial-type displays are presented and where the pyrotechnic devices used exceed the limit for fireworks approved for use in the County.