Residents in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam who want to take part in a firework display this Halloween might want to invite themselves over to a friend's place in Port Moody.
The smallest of the local cities is the only Tri-City municipality to allow the sale and discharge of fireworks without a permit or licensing fee.
"The cost of fireworks are fairly high to begin with," said PoMo acting fire chief Remo Faedo. "We don't want to add any burden to them. We support the family fireworks."
Commercial shows and events outside of the Halloween season require a licence, he added, but backyard firework displays are allowed. Faedo added that an address is usually required to buy fireworks, which can be filled out on forms provided at local firework stores.
That is a stark contrast to Coquitlam, where a $50 permit is required to set off fireworks on private property - and a permit can only be issued if a display is taking place in an area that has at least 30 by 30 square metres of open space.
Few residential properties in Coquitlam are that large and many families have to turn to the city or the school district for permission to use public property, which often requires liability insurance. Only eight permits were issued last year in Coquitlam.
Restrictions in Port Coquitlam are slightly looser, requiring a $20 permit, which can be issued to properties that have at least 50 feet of open space. All displays must be wrapped up by 11 p.m. and can only be held on Halloween night. Failure to comply with the rules can lead to a $300 fine.
Fire officials from both Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam said permits are required in order to inform the department of where the events are taking place.
Regardless of the municipality, fire and emergency crews expect to be busy this Halloween night.
"I don't expect it to be unlike any other year," said Shawn Davidson, the assistant fire chief for fire prevention with Coquitlam Fire and Rescue. "Sometimes it is a bit weather-dependent, so when it rains it is usually a bit quieter."
gmckenna@tricitynews.com
