Fireworks Tents, Storefronts Sprout Widely Under New Michigan Law

Get set for a loud and lively fireworks season as dozens of new sales outlets take advantage of a relaxed state law in effect this year.

Now that consumers can buy airborne fireworks without leaving Michigan, more than 200 retail sales permits have been issued to temporary sites and stores around Metro Detroit, MLive Media Group reports. Macomb tops the list with 86 sellers, followed by Oakland (61), Wayne (70) and Livingston (38).

It became legal this year to sell bottle rockets, Roman candles and other flying devices to consumers. Legislators passed the change, which Gov. Rick Snyder signed last Dec. 13, to generate sales tax revenue and registration fees. Sellers pay $1,000 annually for a permanent site or $600 for a tent or other seasonal, outdoor location.

Cities and townships can’t block sales, and have limited power to restrict where and when individuals can light mini-explosives that whine, bang and boom. The new law bars municipalities from regulating fireworks use on federal holidays – such as July 4 – or the day right before and after.

In Novi, an ordinance prohibits the discharge of consumer fireworks on public, school, and church property, and private property owned by others without permission. Fireworks are also prohibited from being fired in the city's parks.

The following list shows locations in nearby Michigan Patch communities that are approved by the state Bureau of Fire Services to sell fireworks this year from an existing business or temporary site:

Novi

• Ingram Enterprises, 27754 Novi Rd. (store). Applicant: Michael Ingram.

Farmington Hills

• R. George Sales, 39045 Polo Club, #202 (temporary). Applicant: Rimon George.
• Phantom of Michigan, 32905 Northwestern Hwy. (temporary). Applicant: Raechelle Speaker.
• Phantom of Michigan, 35000 Grand River Ave. (temporary). Applicant: Raechelle Speaker.

Plymouth

• Michigan Fireworks, 9618 N. Territorial Rd. Applicant: Michael Smith.

Canton

• Unnamed tent, 41601 Ford Rd. (temporary). Applicant: William Munaco.

Bloomfield Hills

• Jakes Fireworks, 2101 Telegraph Rd. (temporary). Applicant: Jason Marietta.

Brighton

• Abednego, 10840 Grand River Ave. (store). Applicant: Michael Crosby.

West Bloomfield

• Phantom of Michigan, 7300 Haggerty Rd. (store). Applicant: Raechelle Speaker.

White Lake

• Crazy Fireworks, 10150 Highland Rd. (temporary). Applicant: Tracy Wolf.
• SGS Electrical Service, 8001 Elizabeth Lake Rd. (temporary). Applicant: Sam Semma.
• SGS Electrical Service, 6350 E. Highland Rd. (temporary). Applicant: Sam Semma.
• TNT Fireworks, 10951 Highland Rd. (tent in Kmart lot, operated by Base Church of Waterford Township). Applicant: Charles Friese.

A searchable list of all 613 businesses statewide is at this Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs site.