Lexington County residents celebrating with fireworks will face new restrictions from an ordinance that appears to be headed for passage by Lexington County Council.

Regulations in the new ordinance, which received first reading June 27, would limit the use of fireworks in unincorporated areas of Lexington County.

According to a published report on the initial recommendations, the use of fireworks would be limited to 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 3-5.  Fireworks would be allowed from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Memorial Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and between 10 a.m. and 1 a.m. on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

County officials said they couldn’t confirm those figures until the ordinance goes through final reading. That would be well beyond this year’s July 4 celebrations.

Fireworks would no longer be allowed outside of these holiday windows.

Violators could face a fine of $150.

There are no current restrictions on shooting off fireworks in the unincorporated parts of Lexington County, though many municipalities in the county already have their own restrictions.

Council Vice Chair Darrell Hudson said the new restrictions are still under review and will be subject to a public hearing in the next few weeks. He said public input is needed before they are finalized.

At the June 13 meeting, Council Chair Beth Carrigg said she introduced the measure after hearing complaints from people who suffer from PTSD. Dog owners have also expressed concerns that their pets are often frightened by the noise.

Hudson said he has heard similar complaints. He blames noisy fireworks on the death of his own dog, who suffered a health issue soon after hearing the loud blasts.

He said a lot of the complaints are simply about the noise, which can keep people from sleeping at night.

Richland County has a more restrictive ordinance that bans fireworks between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. The only exceptions are July 5 and Jan. 1, when fireworks can continue until 1 a.m. in celebration of the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve. In Richland County, a first offense will cost up to $500.

The new Lexington County restrictions wouldn’t affect fireworks featured at special events, such as the annual fireworks celebration on Lake Murray, which are already subject to their own regulations.