ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Before you stock up on fireworks to celebrate Independence Day in any of the three cities on the Island, it’s important to know the rules and laws, which vary depending on the city.
In April 2020, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 140 into law. The bill allows people 18 and older to buy fireworks to use on three holidays: New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and Independence Day. The previous law required signing a waiver saying the fireworks were for specific agricultural reasons.
While the new law is clear, local cities and counties have their own rules that supercede what the state allows. Each of the three cities that make up Anna Maria Island has a slightly different approach to how fireworks violations will be enforced, but setting off fireworks of any kind is forbidden on any of AMI’s beaches. Fireworks can disturb nesting shorebirds, sea turtles and other Island wildlife.
Bradenton Beach
The Bradenton Beach police will be enforcing a local ordinance that does not allow fireworks on the three state-designated holidays, and will confiscate fireworks from anyone caught setting them off. It’s also possible to be issued a citation, even on July 4.
Bradenton Beach is home to the popular Coquina Beach.
“Anything that shoots up in the air is illegal: Bottle rockets, roman candles, mortars, they’re all illegal, said Det. Sgt. Lenard Diaz of the Bradenton Beach Police Department. “You’re looking at shooting those things off near a residence, and the residences are so tightly packed together here that the possibility of something catching on fire is very real.”
The Sandbar restaurant will not be hosting a Fourth of July fireworks show this year.
Holmes Beach
Holmes Beach will be taking a different approach to the issue of fireworks for the holiday, only taking action if the fireworks are being used in an unsafe manner that could endanger the public or those setting them off.
“State law said it’s ok to set them off on the 4th, so we’ll honor that and encourage safety and common sense,” said Police Chief William Tokajer, adding that anyone being reckless or unsafe is still subject to a citation and the risk of having their fireworks confiscated.
Manatee Beach is located in Holmes Beach.
Anna Maria
The city of Anna Maria is patrolled by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. The department refers to Manatee County Ordinance 04-27, which covers fireworks rules and laws at length and also echoes other area laws that prohibit individuals from lighting any shell that flies in the air or explodes above the ground without a permit. A spokesman did not directly address whether or not they recognize the state bill that legalizes fireworks on July 4.
“Our response to fireworks enforcement has not changed. When deputies respond to complaints involving fireworks, their goal is to obtain voluntary compliance through education,” said Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Randy Warren.
All departments agree that if you choose to light fireworks, you should be aware of your surroundings, not use them in densely populated areas, and not use them on the beach, where wildlife may be at risk.
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