The Bonney Lake Police Department would like to remind city residents of their firework laws before the Fourth of July.

Back in 2016, the Bonney Lake City Council passed new firework rules, which made violating those rules less severe, but at the same time, made it easier for the police to cite you with a fine.

“Safe and sane” fireworks can be lit off between the hours of 9 a.m. and midnight, only on July 4.

Anyone caught setting off fireworks outside that time frame, or setting off illegal fireworks, may be cited with a $550 civil infraction.

While a civil infraction is less serious than a misdemeanors (which other cities may cite violators with), officers don’t need to catch a violator in the act in order to make a citation, a police department pamphlet of firework states.

Additionally, people may be cited if a firework violation happens on their property, even if the property owners were not the ones violating firework ordinances.

The BLPD also encourages people to report firework violations by calling 253-841-5431, and not an emergency number.

For more information, contact Sergeant Ryan Boyle at 253-863-2218 or at boyler@ci.bonney-lake.wa.us.