Council adopts fireworks ordinance creating new civil infraction, approves associated fee schedule after debate on fines

The Redmond City Council adopted an ordinance and an accompanying fee resolution that change the city’s enforcement approach to illegal fireworks and add several fees to the city’s schedule.

City staff member Keith (as introduced in the meeting) told councilors the ordinance responds to community input and seeks a middle ground between allowing legal fireworks under state law and the nuisance and fire-risk posed by illegal fireworks. "The result of all that is basically a 50-50 split of whether to keep allowing fireworks or to ban fireworks outright," Keith said, summarizing the public input and the council’s approach to a compromise.

Ordinance 2025-07 amends Redmond City Code chapters 2 and 5 to create a separate class of infraction for fireworks (identified in the code as a new class F infraction). The council voted to read the ordinance twice by title only and then approved the ordinance on a roll-call vote. Councilors recorded "yes" votes for Councilor Evelyn, Mayor Fitch, Councilor Nielsen, Councilor Osborne, Councilor Patrick, Councilor Wedding and Councilor Zwicker.

Planning Director Kyle Roberts presented the fee resolution to establish related amounts. Kyle Roberts explained the resolution would add five fees, two of which are initial and administrative penalties for the new class F fireworks infraction; staff proposed an initial administrative and civil fine of $1,500 and noted the state maximum is $6,250. Roberts also said staff was adding fees to support the recently authorized allowance of marijuana dispensaries (a $1,500 initial application fee and a $500 annual renewal fee) and a reduced nonprofit business license fee of $37.50.

Council discussion focused on the appropriate level and scalability of the fireworks fine. Several councilors argued for a higher or escalating fine structure to deter repeated violations and protect public safety; others warned that a maximum fine could cause undue financial hardship for residents and reduce willingness to file citizen complaints. The council amended the resolution to allow an escalating fine schedule (initial amount lower than the state maximum, escalating on repeat violations up to the state maximum) and then voted to approve the resolution as amended. One councilor (identified in the record as Jay) abstained on the fee resolution vote.

Staff clarified that code enforcement is complaint-driven and typically daytime-based; citizens can file complaints with code enforcement, and police may still act when officers witness violations. The ordinance does not affect fireworks that are legal under Oregon state law, the staff presentation said.

The ordinance and amended fee resolution become part of the city’s code and fee schedule; staff said the city can still issue emergency or temporary bans under existing authority in periods of very high fire danger.

Actions and votes recorded in the meeting transcript are summarized below.