Here's where you can shoot off fireworks in York County on the 4th of July, or other days

Madeline Crocenzi | York Daily Record

Show Caption Hide Caption Local ordinances with new Pa. firework laws York Fire Chief David Michaels explains what the new Pa. fireworks laws mean for residents

Pennsylvania's new fireworks law lets residents get the good stuff. But, House Bill 542 comes with rules as well.

You can't shoot off fireworks within 150 feet of an occupied structure or within a vehicle or a building. You also can't shoot the fireworks toward a car or a building. If you want to set off your own fireworks show on public or private property, you have to get permission from the property owner.

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So where exactly can you set them off?

City of York

In a Facebook post, York Mayor Michael Helfrich explained that you must be 150 feet away from an occupied structure when using fireworks.

"... meaning there are very few places in the City of York where fireworks can be used," he said.

Although possession of the fireworks is not illegal, Helfrich said police officers must physically catch offenders.

On Thursday, York City Police Department posted on its Facebook page that it had created a "hotline via an email address for fireworks complaints." The email address, fireworks@yorkcity.org, will be monitored by police, and people are able to send their "complaints, questions and tips" about fireworks to the address, according to the post.

West Manchester Township

West Manchester Township Fire Chief Clifton Laughman said the township is in a similar boat. Since the area is so highly populated, there are few spots that would be OK to set off fireworks.

"You're basically looking at farm fields," he said.

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Part of the law is that you must obtain permission from a landowner to shoot fireworks in a field you don't own.

Springettsbury, Spring Garden and Manchester Townships

York Area United Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Matt Arnold said it's easier for him to tell people where not to shoot fireworks. Since open fields are typically 150 feet away from a house, Arnold said that's a good area as long as the sparks don't hit anything dry.

Arnold recommends calling your township's office and seeing if fireworks are allowed at parks. For example, you can call the Springettsbury Township office and ask to use a baseball field in a park to set off fireworks.

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There's a chance the township could refer you to call your local fire department. In that case, "We're not going to tell anybody no as long as they're not breaking the law," Arnold said.

Also of interest, a gallery of photos below: