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Newport council bans consumer fireworks use through Oct. 15, 2025
Summary
The Newport City Council voted to adopt a resolution restricting the use of retail consumer fireworks in the city from June 3 through Oct. 15, 2025, citing drier-than-normal conditions and fire-risk projections. The resolution does not ban sales; councilors discussed pursuing a sales restriction later.
The Newport City Council on June 2 adopted a resolution restricting the use of retail consumer fireworks within city limits from June 3 through Oct. 15, 2025.
Fire Chief Rob Murphy told the council that climatologists are forecasting warmer- and drier-than-normal conditions for the coast this summer and that local precipitation has been well below average. “For April our average precipitation is 4.88 inches for the month. Our actual was 2.65,” Murphy said. “For the month of May…the average is 3.66 inches. Our actual was 0.39. So we are quite a bit drier.” Murphy recommended activating the municipal ordinance that allows the council to restrict consumer fireworks when conditions warrant.
Two residents addressed the council during public comment. Paul Mars said he had not seen a recorded instance of a city fire caused by fireworks and criticized the resolution’s language; Aaron Bretz, who said he is retired from the U.S. Coast Guard, opposed the restriction on grounds of family tradition and urged education about safe use. Both comments were recorded in the public-comment period.
During council discussion members noted enforcement limitations and the ordinance’s current language. City staff and the fire chief told the council the existing municipal code (Newport Municipal Code 8.2002) allows the city to restrict use but does not contain language to restrict sales. The council was advised that special-event permits for temporary fireworks stands are issued to vendors and that state fire marshal permits had already been issued; the city manager noted the city can deny a city special-event permit for a stand on city property but cannot unilaterally rescind a state-issued permit.
Councilors discussed the difficulty of enforcement and the optics of allowing sales while prohibiting use. After debate, a motion to adopt the resolution restricting use was made, seconded and approved by voice vote; the minutes record “Motion carries.” The motion as recorded did not include a roll-call tally naming each vote in the final passage.
Council members asked staff to research options and legal authority to pursue a sales restriction or other regulatory changes for future years. Staff noted the practical difficulties of quickly changing sales rules this year because many vendors already have permits and product orders in place. The council asked staff to return with analysis and possible ordinance language for later consideration.
