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Supervisors introduce ordinance to tighten fireworks enforcement; Oceano residents seek carve-out for safe-and-sane sales
Summary
The board introduced an ordinance adding enforcement provisions, fines and social-host liability to the county fireworks code and set a public hearing for May 20, while residents from Oceano urged a local exemption to preserve fundraising revenues for nonprofits.
The Board of Supervisors introduced an ordinance amending county code to add enforcement provisions, civil fines, cost recovery for enforcement responses and social-host/minor liability for fireworks violations, and set a public hearing for May 20.
Mia Trevelyan of the County Administrative Office presented the proposal and the ad hoc committee’s findings. The ordinance does not change the county’s prohibition on the sale or use of “safe and sane” fireworks in unincorporated areas, but it adds penalties, authorizes recovery of county response costs (for example, salary and benefits for enforcement officers and disposal costs for seized fireworks), and defines the Department of Planning and Building as the administering department for notices and appeals.
Public comment drew substantial attention from Oceano residents and nonprofit representatives, who said the local sale of safe-and-sane fireworks funds youth programs and nonprofit services. April Paz and Kim Rose, both from Oceano, said rescinding local sales would shift purchases to neighboring cities or underground markets and would cut critical nonprofit revenue. “Safe and sane fireworks are a critical source of funding for local nonprofits, youth programs, and community groups,” April Paz told the board.
Supervisors debated whether to allow a local exemption for Oceano. Supervisor Paulding said the community’s urban character and existing contract with the Five Cities Fire Authority could support regulated local sales and inspection, and asked staff to explore a mechanism for a district-level exemption or a criteria-based process. Supervisor Gibson opposed an exemption, citing countywide public-safety concerns and the overall goal of reducing wildfire and fireworks-related injures.
The board voted to introduce the ordinance and schedule the May 20 public hearing. Staff said next steps would include developing a communications plan with County Fire, the sheriff’s office and the public information officer, and returning with the finalized ordinance for adoption after the hearing.
