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Chesapeake amends fireworks law; council emphasizes education, owner liability clarified
Summary
The Chesapeake City Council adopted an ordinance consolidating fireworks rules and expanding enforcement to hold property owners or occupants accountable in some cases. Council and staff said enforcement will prioritize warnings and education rather than arrests; officials also said public notice will accompany the change.
The Chesapeake City Council on May 27 adopted an ordinance amending city code to consolidate rules on possession and discharge of fireworks and to strengthen enforcement, including a new provision that can hold property owners or occupants accountable for fireworks discharged on their property.
Council members said the city will focus on education and voluntary compliance as the policy is implemented, and staff pledged to notify the public before enforcement begins.
The ordinance, requested by the fire department, deletes duplicative code sections and moves enforcement language into one place, Council member Smith said during deliberations. Smith asked specifically about public notification and whether people could now face arrest simply because fireworks landed on their property. The city manager responded that the city will provide advance notices through social media and fire department channels and “we'll be sure to include references to city codes and policies, including these changes, if approved by council.”
Council member Knowitz pressed the city manager on how police would handle enforcement in practice. “So is the police department going to be looking at offering warnings when appropriate and it's not just going to be arresting people?” she asked. The manager said officers will “definitely...not looking to try to charge people. It's really about education, and trying to to to get...voluntary compliance.” Council member Newitz later noted the ordinance language includes liability for “any person allowing it to happen on your property,” and emphasized that the text requires a level of knowledge or responsibility to trigger enforcement.
City attorney Lindley added that the ordinance targets owners or “any person who basically is responsible or in control,” language she said already appears in the draft. Council members asked staff to confirm enforcement protocols and the manager said the police department’s approach will “prioritize public education and voluntary compliance. In most cases, officers will confiscate fireworks and issue verbal warnings rather than pursue criminal charges.”
After discussion, the council voted 9–0 to adopt the ordinance. Staff and council members said they will run a community outreach campaign ahead of the summer fireworks season to explain the new rules and the emphasis on warnings and education.
The ordinance takes effect as written and staff will follow up with specific public-notification plans and guidance for police and fire personnel.
