Changes to City Fireworks Ordinance Affect Shaw Butte
On May 20, 2026 the City of Phoenix adopted changes to the city’s fireworks ordinances. The ordinance changes become effective June 20, 2026.
All areas of the Shaw Butte neighborhood are within the one mile prohibited zone surrounding the Shaw Butte/North Mountain Preserve—which means all fireworks are prohibited at all times within the neighborhood. This includes both aerial fireworks previously prohibited by state-law, and all ground-based fireworks.
ABOVE: City of Phoenix Fireworks Ordinance prohibits ALL fireworks within 1 mile of mountain preserves (shown with red tint above). Shaw Butte falls completely within this 1 mile buffer from the Shaw Butte/North Mountain Preserve. Shaw Butte neighborhood boundaries are shown above with a black dashed line.
We understand that for some, fireworks are a fun and exciting way of celebrating the Fourth of July or other holidays, but there are also a several serious risks and drawbacks in a populated metropolitan area like our neighborhood.
These risks and drawbacks include:
Substantial fire risk due to our hot, dry climate
Negative—and often lingering—impacts to air quality
Days and sometimes weeks-long disruption to peaceful enjoyment of our neighborhoods
Outsized effect on veterans, pets, and people with respiratory issues
Key highlights of what’s changed:
No fireworks on city-owned property, including parks
Use of ALL fireworks is banned within one mile of mountain preserves (ALL of Shaw Butte falls within this one mile buffer—prohibiting the use of ANY fireworks within our neighborhood boundaries at all times)
Violators face civil fines up to $2,500 or criminal misdemeanor charges punishable by up to six months in jail
The City can recover costs from violators for emergency response, storage, and disposal related to illegal fireworks incidents
Full details available at phoenix.gov
