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Chino Council delays changes to fireworks rules after nonprofits, wholesaler warn of cost and logistics
Summary
Council members delayed an ordinance change to Chino Municipal Code Chapter 8.12 that would require wholesalers to pick up unsold "safe and sane" fireworks by 5 p.m. July 5, directing staff to work with vendors and local nonprofits and return in two weeks.
The Chino City Council on Feb. 4 postponed proposed amendments to the city's fireworks ordinance after nonprofit booth operators and a major wholesaler raised concerns that the changes could impose steep pickup fees and operational burdens.
City staff had recommended revisions to Chino Municipal Code Chapter 8.12 that would strengthen the watchman requirement for retail booths and require wholesalers to retrieve unsold inventory from booths by 5 p.m. on July 5. Community Services staff briefed the council on a 2024 incident in which an unattended truck and trailer loaded with packaged fireworks was found in an unincorporated area, and said the proposed changes were intended to reduce future safety risks.
The council's discussion focused on two competing priorities: reducing the safety risk of unsupervised fireworks left in neighborhoods, and limiting new costs or logistical burdens on volunteer-run nonprofit fundraising booths. Don Lugo Band Boosters, other local nonprofits, and TNT Fireworks representatives urged the council to reconsider the wholesale-pickup requirement or allow a centralized local return location.
"We're being told it could be anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500 per TNT booth," said Carly Remender, representing Don Lugo Band Boosters, describing the potential cost to small nonprofit sellers. Tony Flores, another volunteer, proposed a TNT-run centralized return location in Chino on July 5 so groups could avoid traveling to Rialto and incur high pickup fees.
John Kelly, vice president of TNT Fireworks, said wholesalers currently deliver product to booths and can process returns at a Rialto facility with appointments that typically take about an hour, but processing all groups locally on July 5 would be a significant change in operations. Kelly said TNT was willing to cooperate but asked for flexibility in the ordinance language.
Councilmembers across the dais acknowledged the nonprofits' fundraising role and raised questions about vendor practices and transparency. Councilmember Comstock noted the ordinance change stemmed from an investigation and commission recommendations. Mayor Pro Tem Kurt Burton and others said the current vendor landscape and changes in vendor practices over time had contributed to the problem.
Rather than adopt the revisions on first reading, the council voted to pull the item and directed staff to meet with stakeholders, including nonprofits and wholesalers, and return with a revised approach in two weeks. Staff said applications for retail booth permits will still be made available Feb. 14 and groups will be advised that the ordinance language is pending council action.
The council asked staff to explore options such as: (1) requiring wholesalers (via their wholesale permit) to offer a local collection or pickup option, (2) clarifying that any required transport must comply with legal transport limits, and (3) creating an approved-vendor or RFP process to increase transparency and competition among wholesalers. Staff said Phantom Fireworks told staff it would comply with the ordinance as written and would not charge vendors for pickup if the code passed; TNT had indicated it might charge for pickup unless a central-chinatown solution were negotiated.
The Community Services Parks and Recreation Commission had recommended changes to sections 8.12.110 and 8.12.130 of the municipal code to enhance safety and require wholesalers to pick up unsold stock by 5 p.m. on July 5.
Councilmembers asked staff to bring back a revised proposal that preserves nonprofit fundraising while addressing the safety concerns that prompted the review. The council did not adopt the ordinance at this meeting.
Votes at a glance: The council did not take a final vote on Ordinance No. 2025-1; it was tabled for two weeks and staff was directed to return with revisions and stakeholder input.
The council's next regular meeting is scheduled for Feb. 18, when the item will return unless staff requests a different schedule.
