Great Falls voters decided the City's fireworks rules at the general election of November 4, 2025.
City Attorney David Dennis told the CityCommission that the City has a long history of regulating and deregulating fireworks. Most recently, in 2021 the State of Montana removed the restriction on aerial fireworks from its fireworks statute. Because the City's ordinance referred to the state statute for what was allowed, aerial fireworks previously restricted under state law became unrestricted under both state and local law.
The Commission received substantial comment on both sides — residents citing public safety, fire hazard, noise and impacts on veterans, pets and other vulnerable people; and residents citing personal freedom, tradition and economics. Two work sessions were held, the second on July 22, 2025, at which staff presented ordinance options and the Commission directed staff to bring forward a referral.
Resolution 10596 referred Ordinance3278 — amending Title 9, Chapter 9, Section 030 of the OfficialCode to restrict permissible fireworks for sale and discharge — to a vote of the people at the November 4, 2025 election.
At the special meeting SpecialCityCommission2025-07-29 the Commission set the public hearing for August 5; that motion carried 3-2 with Commissioners McKenney? and Wolff dissenting, and a second motion carried 5-0. At CityCommission2025-08-05 the Commission adopted Resolution 10596, carried 4-1 with Commissioner McKenney? dissenting.
On November 13, 2025 the CascadeCountyElections administrator provided the official canvass and declaration of results showing that a majority of Great Falls electors voted in favour of Ordinance 3278. The ordinance is recorded as adopted by majority vote on November 4, 2025, effective November 13, 2025.
Enforcement remains a live subject: the CityManager reminded residents of the rules and reported coordinated PoliceDepartment and FireRescue enforcement over the Independence Day period at CityCommission2026-06-16, and neighborhood councils have raised enforcement concerns.
Ordinances: https://greatfallsmt.gov/260/Ordinances Minutes, July 29, 2025: https://greatfallsmt.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07292025-112