Source: https://ecode360.com/34713943
Timestamp: 2020-08-10 22:46:42
Document Index: 736843290

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 150', '§ 150', '§ 150', '§ 150', '§ 150', '§ 150', '§ 150']

Township of Swatara, PA Fireworks
§ 150-2 Permits.
§ 150-3 Requests for extension.
§ 150-4 Consumer fireworks.
§ 150-5 Display fireworks.
§ 150-6 Agricultural purposes.
§ 150-7 Violation and civil penalties.
§ 150-8 Removal, storage, and destruction.
Township of Swatara, PA / Part II, General Legislation
Chapter 150 Fireworks
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Swatara 5-8-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-1. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this chapter unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
The American Pyrotechnics Association Standard 87-a: Standard for Construction and Approval for Transportation of Fireworks, Novelties, and Theatrical Pyrotechnics, 2001 edition, or any subsequent edition.
Any combustible or explosive composition or any substance or combination of substances which is intended to produce visible or audible effects by combustion, is suitable for use by the public, complies with the construction, performance, composition and labeling requirements promulgated by the Consumer Products Safety Commission in 16 CFR (relating to commercial practices) or any successor regulation and complies with the provisions for "consumer fireworks" as defined in APA 87-1 or any successor standard, the sale, possession and use of which shall be permitted throughout this Commonwealth.
The term does not include devices such as "ground and hand-held sparkling devices," "novelties," or "toy caps" in APA 87-1 or any successor standard, the sale, possession, and use of which shall be permitted at all times in Swatara Township.
Large fireworks to be used solely by professional pyrotechnicians and designed primarily to produce visible or audible effects by combustion, deflagration, or detonation. The term includes, but is not limited to:
Other display pieces that exceed the limits of explosive materials for classification as consumer fireworks and are classified as fireworks UN0333, UN0334, or UN0335 under 49 CFR 172.101 (relating to purpose and use of hazardous materials table).
The National Fire Protection Association Standard 1124, Code for the Manufacture, Transportation, and Storage of Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles, 2006 edition, or any subsequent edition.
A structure, vehicle, or place adapted for overnight accommodation of persons or for conducting business whether or not a person is actually present.
A consumer fireworks building, trailer, semitrailer, metal shipping container, or magazine meeting the specification of NFPA 1124.
Shall include any natural person, firm, partnership, trust, association, corporation, limited liability company, company, or any other organization of any kind.
A structure, other than a permanent facility with fixed utility connections, which is in use or in place for a period of 20 consecutive calendar days or less and is dedicated to the storage and sale of consumer fireworks and related items. The term includes temporary retail sales stands, tents, canopies, and membrane structures meeting the specifications of NFPA 1124. The term shall not include a facility that is not licensed to sell consumer fireworks under Article XXIV of the Tax Reform Code.
Permissible purposes. As a prerequisite to possess and use display fireworks, a person must hold a permit from Swatara Township. The permit must be available at the display covered by the permit or available when used as authorized by the permit for any of the following:
Each display shall be handled by a competent operator; and
The fire department chief or other appropriate officer, as designated by the governing body of the municipality, must deem the character and location of each display, prior to being fired or discharged, not to be either hazardous to property or dangerous to any person; and
After permission is granted under this section, possession and use of display fireworks for display shall be lawful for that purpose only.
A permit shall be transferrable.
Age limitation. A display fireworks permit may not be issued to a person under 21 years of age.
Bond. Swatara Township shall require a bond deemed adequate by it from the permittee in a sum not less than $50,000 conditioned for the payment of all damages which may be caused to person or property by reason of the display and arising from an act of the permittee or an agent, an employee, or a subcontractor of the permittee.
Authorization. If, because of unfavorable weather, the display for which a permit has been granted does not occur at the time authorized by the permit, the person to whom the permit was issued may within 24 hours apply for a request for extension to Swatara Township.
Contents of request. The request for extension shall state under oath that the display was not made, provide the reason that the display was not made and request a continuance of the permit for a date designated within the request, which shall be not later than one week after the date originally designated in the permit.
Determination. Upon receiving the request for extension, Swatara Township, if it believes that the facts stated within the request are true, shall extend the provisions of the permit to the date designated within the request, which shall be not later than one week after the date originally designated in the permit.
Conditions. The extension of time shall be granted without the payment of an additional fee and without requiring a bond other than the bond given for the original permit, the provisions of which shall extend to and cover all damages which may be caused by reason of the display occurring at the extended date and in the same manner and to the same extent as if the display had occurred at the date originally designated in the permit.
Conditions. A person who is at least 18 years of age and meets the requirements of this section may purchase, possess, and use consumer fireworks. A person under 18 years of age may intentionally ignite or discharge consumer fireworks only when under the direct supervision of a parent, guardian, or responsible adult acting in loco parentis.
Consumer fireworks on public or private property without the express permission of the property owner.
Consumer fireworks or sparkling devices into or at a motor vehicle, building, or another person.
Consumer fireworks or sparkling devices while the person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or another drug.
Consumer fireworks between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 8:00 a.m. between January 2 and December 31.
Consumer fireworks between the hours of 12:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on January 1.
Consumer fireworks on a date that is not within seven calendar days of a recognized federal holiday.
No display fireworks shall be ignited without a permit issued by Swatara Township as per this chapter.
No display fireworks shall be ignited within 300 feet of a facility that meets the requirements of Sections 2407 and 2410 (relating to permanent and temporary sales locations) of Pennsylvania Act 43 of 2017.[1]
Authorization. Swatara Township may, under reasonable rules and regulations adopted by it, grant permits for the use of suitable fireworks for agricultural purposes in connection with the raising of crops and the protection of crops from bird and animal damage.
Duration of permit. A permit under this section shall remain in effect for the calendar year in which it was issued.
Conditions. After a permit under this section has been granted, sales, possession, and use of fireworks of the type and for the purpose mentioned in the permit shall be lawful for that purpose only.
A person using consumer fireworks in violation of the provisions of the chapter commits a summary offense and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100.
A person using display fireworks in violation of the provisions of this chapter commits a summary offense and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $2,000.
The improper storage, sale, or use of consumer or display fireworks may be prosecuted under state and/or federal regulations.
The Pennsylvania State Police, a Swatara Township Police Officer, or Swatara Township Fire Department Chief may seize, remove, or cause to be removed at the expense of the owner all stocks of consumer fireworks or display fireworks or combustibles offered or exposed for sale, stored, or held in violation of this chapter. The owner shall also be responsible for the storage and, if deemed necessary, the destruction of these fireworks.