Lexington County sets new rules for fireworks. What to know before you light that fuse
Lexington County Council has set new rules for fireworks after revising plans for a near-total ban.
As part of a revised noise ordinance that received final approval Tuesday, the county walked back a previous plan to ban residents in the unincorporated parts of Lexington County from shooting off fireworks on all but a handful of listed holidays.
Under the new rules, added to the county’s pre-existing noise ordinance, fireworks will be prohibited nightly from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m., with two holiday exceptions. The prohibition is pushed back to 11 p.m. on July 4 and to 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 1. The ordinance also will allow public fireworks displays anytime if approved by a fire permit.
A violation of the ordinance would carry a $150 fine.
The first draft of the county’s fireworks ordinance would have banned private use of fireworks entirely except on set days and times: between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. on July 3, 4 and 5, Dec. 24 and 25, and Memorial Day; as well as between 10 a.m. Dec. 31 and 1:30 a.m. Jan. 1.
Many residents spoke in opposition to the initial proposal at an Aug. 8 hearing, citing concerns that the ban would impose on residents’ rights to use fireworks on their own property that are otherwise allowed by state law, was more restrictive than neighboring counties, and did not allow for other holidays residents might want to celebrate with fireworks.
Others expressed support for the ordinance because of concerns about the dangers of fireworks, including fears that emergency personnel would not be able to respond quickly enough to fires or injuries in rural parts of the county. Pets and veterans suffering from PTSD can also have adverse reactions to loud fireworks, speakers said.
.jpg)