West Richland council reopens fireworks debate but takes no action amid enforcement, staffing limits

At a Jan. 28 special workshop, the West Richland City Council discussed possible changes to the city’s fireworks rules, including reducing days when fireworks are legal and adding vendor or purchaser permit requirements, but the council took no formal action.

The discussion came after Community Development staff summarized the city’s recent history with fireworks regulation — public forums in 2012 that reduced permitted days, and a 2023 community survey that was narrowly divided on further change. “Fireworks have been a divided topic for citizens of West Richland for many years,” Eric, Community Development staff, told the council.

Council members framed proposed changes largely as compromises. Mayor Pro Tem Brink argued that reducing permitted days would “have less demand on fire, less demand on police resources, less trauma for the humans and the pets that suffer,” while Council member Moran and others urged limiting the size or loading of aerials and cutting the number of permitted nights to reduce public-safety calls.

Police and fire leadership cautioned that stricter rules would be difficult to enforce. Police Chief Grego said enforcement is “next to impossible” under current staffing: an officer must be present to issue a citation, and limited personnel and competing emergency calls mean fireworks complaints are frequently deprioritized. Grego added that when a fire occurs, law enforcement is tasked with road closures, evacuations and scene security, stretching available officers further.

Staff and council also discussed enforcement side effects and practical limits. Eric told the council that tighter laws “may not have the intended effect” because some people would turn to illegal sources or avoid reporting fires for fear of citation, slowing emergency response. He also noted there is no current funding for extra patrols or for the public-engagement process a text amendment would require.

Council members suggested several possible nonregulatory approaches. Ideas raised included targeted public education at fireworks stands, voluntary one-page safety flyers distributed by vendors, and asking vendors to post city rules at sales locations. Eric and staff noted a legal constraint: the council was told that state law prohibits charging for a permit at fireworks stands, so a fee-based vendor permit would not be allowed. Council member Stoecker (who described experience working at fireworks stands) and other members cautioned that vendor requirements create administrative burdens on small sellers and may be ineffective during busy sale periods.

The council heard practical details about the current code and common consumer products. Council members referenced the existing local limit for mortar diameter and loading — a 2.5-inch diameter mortar with a 40-gram load was discussed as among the larger permitted devices — and discussed complaints about ground-level devices tipping and starting brush fires.

No ordinance, motion or vote was proposed during the workshop. Mayor (presiding) and staff said that, given limited staffing and budget this year, any ordinance change would require public hearings, outreach and extra staff time the city does not currently have.

The mayor directed that the topic be noted for future priority-setting; staff said fireworks is low on the department’s current priority list compared with state-mandated planning work and large projects already underway. Council members divided in opinion: several favored reducing permitted days (many mentioned restricting legal discharge to July 4 only), while others favored maintaining current rules with increased education and enforcement where feasible.

The council did not schedule a follow-up vote or set a formal timeline for drafting code changes.