Add StudioX as a preferred source on GooglePlanning to light fireworks this Halloween or Diwali? Under Surrey fireworks rules, setting them off without a permit can cost you at least $400, and bylaw officers will be out looking for them.
The City of Surrey says bylaw officers will patrol high-activity areas, working with police, in the lead-up to Halloween on Saturday, Oct. 31, and on Diwali on Sunday, Nov. 8. They will respond to reports from residents of illegal fireworks.
What Surrey fireworks rules allow
The short answer for most families under Surrey fireworks rules: nothing, unless you have the right paperwork. Under Surrey’s Fireworks Bylaw, you cannot sell, buy or set off fireworks in the city without both:
- federal fireworks certification, and
- a valid permit from Surrey Fire Service.
Anyone under 18 is not allowed to have fireworks at all. That includes the small items many people think of as harmless. If you are not sure whether something counts, the safe answer is not to light it.
How much the fines are
Fines under Surrey fireworks rules run from a minimum of $400 to a maximum of $50,000. Each day an offence continues counts as a separate violation. Both police and bylaw officers can issue tickets.
Those amounts are much higher than they used to be. In October 2024, Surrey council raised the minimum penalty from $100 to $400 and the maximum from $5,000 to $50,000, after what the city described as a “significant surge in complaints” about fireworks. Then-mayor Brenda Locke said illegal fireworks pose “severe risks, including potential injuries, property damage, and distress to animals.”
How to report illegal fireworks
To report a breach of Surrey fireworks rules, call Surrey Bylaws at 604-591-4370. The city says resident reports help officers find hotspots.
Only call 911 in a real emergency, such as a fire or an injury. Calling 911 for noise ties up lines that people in danger need.
Permit details are on the City of Surrey website under Surrey Fire Service, “Fireworks and Pyrotechnics.”
Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas on the same day
For many Surrey families, fireworks are part of Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas, which fall on the same day this year. These rules are not aimed at the celebration itself. They are about unpermitted fireworks set off in streets, yards and parks.
Every fall, residents in Newton, Fleetwood, Panorama and other neighbourhoods complain about late-night bangs. Pets, seniors and young children can be badly affected, and fireworks used without training cause burns and eye injuries.
The safest choice is a permitted public event. Gurdwaras, mandirs and community groups often hold celebrations with lights, food and music. Check local listings before the holiday. Diyas, candles and string lights carry no fine. Just keep open flames away from curtains and children.
Other cities have their own rules
Surrey fireworks rules only apply inside Surrey. Delta, Langley, White Rock and other cities each set their own bylaws, and they differ. Check your own city’s website before you buy anything, and remember that fireworks bought legally elsewhere can still be illegal to set off in Surrey.
Halloween safety reminders
- Turn on outdoor lights and clear decorations from walkways.
- Dress kids in bright costumes or add reflective tape, and give them a flashlight.
- Young children should go out with an adult. Older kids should stay in groups.
- Check treats before kids eat them, and throw out anything unwrapped.
- Drivers should slow down in residential streets and put the phone away.
- Keep pets indoors, and make sure they wear ID in case loud noises scare them off.
For non-emergencies, call Surrey Police Service at 604-599-0502.
Bottom line: no permit, no fireworks. Read the City of Surrey’s enforcement notice, and see Bear Creek Lights 2026 in Surrey for a free family lights event this season.
Harnaik Singh Rathor is the Founder, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief of StudioX News Canada, Canada's multilingual digital news network serving multilingual diaspora communities across Canada. With a background in media production, public relations, and multicultural communications, he founded StudioX Film and TV Corporation to bridge the gap between mainstream Canadian media and the country's diverse immigrant communities. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ), RTDNA Canada, CPRS Vancouver, NEPMCC, and the Canadian Freelance Union (Unifor). Based in Surrey, British Columbia. | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harnaiksinghrathor/ | Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/harnaiksinghrathor | Email: editor@studioxnews.ca
