With the unofficial start of summer on Memorial Day weekend, people likely can expect the return of fireworks displays.

However, in the city of Erie, it is prohibited for residents to set off fireworks, including residents setting off fireworks on their own property.

If you live in Erie County, the rules for fireworks depend on the municipality in which you live in. For example, Harborcreek Township follows the state of Pennsylvania laws for fireworks with no additional regulations.

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City of Erie prohibits residential fireworks

According to city officials, “No person in a park shall bring or have in possession or set off or otherwise cause to explode or discharge or burn any firecrackers, torpedoes, rockets, other fireworks or explosives of inflammable material. Nor can a person discharge them, throw them into any such area from land or highway adjacent thereto. This prohibition includes any substance, compound, mixture or article that in conjunction with any other substance or compound would be dangerous from any of the foreign standpoints.”

With the city, fireworks cannot be discharged within 150 feet of a structure even if the building is unoccupied at the time.

Fines starting at $100 could be levied for violators of fireworks regulations.

Check with your municipality in Erie County on fireworks

According to county officials, each municipality in Erie County has its own regulations on fireworks. It would be smart to check with each municipality before setting off fireworks.

For example, Millcreek Township has three different definitions of fireworks — novelty, consumer and display.

All of these fireworks are legal within Millcreek Township but come with rules and regulations as to where they can be set off, who can set them off, who can purchase them and when they can be set off.

Fireworks rules across the state of Pennsylvania

In the state of Pennsylvania, consumer-grade, or Class C fireworks, are permitted.

These include Roman candles, bottle rockets and similar fireworks that contain a maximum of 50 milligrams of explosive material.

Display fireworks in the state are only to be used by professionals with a permit from the municipality where the display takes place.

Only individuals over the age of 18 can purchase fireworks in Pennsylvania.

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The restrictions for firework use in Pennsylvania include:

Cannot be ignited or discharged on public or private property without express permission of the property owner;

Cannot be directed at another person;

Cannot be discharged from or directed at a building or vehicle or within 150 feet of a building or vehicle regardless if the building or vehicle is owned by the user of the consumer fireworks or while the person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance or another drug;

Municipalities may restrict use of consumer fireworks between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m., except on July 2, 3, 4 and Dec. 31 when they may be used until 1 a.m.; and

If July 4 falls on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday they may be used until 1 a.m. on the immediately preceding and following Friday and Saturday.

Contact Nicholas Sorensen at Nsorensen@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Residential fireworks laws in Erie County — know what’s legal