There are no set restrictions on what time of day you can have a bonfire but please be considerate of your neighbours.
Please read our Bonfire Code of Conduct.
If your neighbour’s bonfires are interfering with the use or enjoyment of your property (for example, if they happen regularly and go on for a long time), try talking with them to see if you can sort it out before contacting us.
Report an issue with a bonfire
We may want to visit the site and ask you to keep records of the bonfires. We cannot record anonymous complaints but we will not reveal your identity without your permission.
Noise nuisance from fireworks
If you are using fireworks privately, please bear in mind that they can be very disturbing to your neighbours and their pets. Please do not use loud display style fireworks privately as some of these are for professional use only. Repeated use of fireworks at the same property can become subject to noise nuisance laws although it is recognised that fireworks are used more frequently around some festival periods of the year.
You can download a notice to advise your neighbours of intended use of fireworks.
Please be aware, it is an offence to:
- use fireworks between 11.00pm and 7.00am, apart from Bonfire night when they can be used up to Midnight and New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when they can be used until 1am the following morning.
- use fireworks in a public place unless this is part of an official organised event.
- use category 4 fireworks unless this is part of a professional firework display.
These offences are enforced by the Police and more information can be found on their website.
Restrictions on the sale of fireworks
Shops that sell fireworks products must display a statutory retailer notice.
Download the statutory retailers fireworks notice
Retailers that sell fireworks all year round must have a storage licence and selling licence issued by West Midlands Fire Service. If you only sell fireworks during the periods below, you need a storage licence.
- 15 October to 10 November
- 26 December to 31 December
- The first day of Chinese New Year and the 3 days before it
- The first day of Diwali and the 3 days before it
You can apply for a storage licence online. To apply for a selling licence or other queries you can contact West Midlands Fire Service.
Information about regulations, along with guidance around applying for a licence, is available on the Health and Safety Executive website.
Age Restrictions on the Sale of Fireworks
For supply purposes, fireworks are categorised as F1 - F4. For more information on the 'F' categories, see 'Fireworks: storage and supply'. The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 prohibit the supply of F4 fireworks to the general public. The Regulations prohibit the supply of F2 (outdoor use - confined areas) and F3 (outdoor use - large open areas) fireworks to any person under 18. The Regulations prohibit the supply of F1 (indoor use low-hazard low-noise - party poppers etc) fireworks to any person under 16.
An exception is made for Christmas crackers, which must not be supplied to any person under 12. Caps for toy guns are exempt from fireworks legislation. Note: the labelling on packets of sparklers must carry the words: 'Warning: not to be given to children under five years of age'. Where F2 and F3 fireworks are supplied or exposed for supply in any premises, a notice must be displayed in a prominent position in those premises, no less than 420 mm by 297 mm (A3), with letters no less than 16 mm high, giving the following.
More information on the age restricted sales of fireworks can be found here.