Council adopts revised 'safe and sane' fireworks ordinance with updated booth rules and 9 p.m. sales cutoff

City staff presented a revised ordinance on May 20 to regulate sales of “safe and sane” fireworks and strengthen penalties for illegal fireworks. The revision incorporated a previous council resolution that limits the number and location of vendor booths and lowered the July 4 sales cutoff to 9 p.m.

The nut graf: The ordinance clarifies that the standing council resolution limiting fireworks booths and their location (400 Fairway Drive city parking lot) remains in effect, removes a vegetation separation requirement that conflicted with existing landscaping at the authorized site, and aligns the sales cutoff with regional practice at 9 p.m.

Acting on the revised language, Councilmember Pratton moved approval and Councilmember Reid seconded. The council adopted the ordinance on a 5‑0 roll call vote.

City manager’s office staff explained the changes were housekeeping to ensure the ordinance did not unintentionally override past council direction that limited booths to four and to remove a vegetation distance standard that could have excluded the authorized parking lot. “The only thing we are going to do with this revised ordinance is incorporate that resolution by reference so it does not get ignored,” staff said.

Mayor Farmer and other councilmembers stressed that the ordinance is intended to preserve safe, permitted sales that support local nonprofits while strengthening enforcement against illegal fireworks that create safety and nuisance problems. The ordinance takes effect upon adoption and will be enforced by city code and public safety staff.