Council raises penalties for illegal fireworks as part of new ordinance; amends to $3,000 first violation

The Yucaipa City Council on May 12 introduced and approved the first reading of an ordinance (4‑57) increasing administrative fines for possession, sale or ignition of illegal fireworks, amending the municipal code in response to elevated wildfire risk in the city’s wildland‑urban interface.

Staff told council that the existing administrative fine of $100 was insufficient as a deterrent and cited examples from neighboring jurisdictions where fines range from $1,000 to $5,000. Staff noted Yucaipa’s location in an area of very high fire risk, continuing drought, and the local history of illegal fireworks calls for service. The staff recommendation proposed $1,500 for a first violation and $3,000 for subsequent violations.

During council discussion several members urged higher penalties and increased enforcement. One councilmember proposed and the council amended the proposal to set a $3,000 fine for the first violation and escalating penalties for subsequent offenses (the motion as amended set higher subsequent fines but the exact step amounts discussed were 5,000 then 10,000 in council dialogue). Staff said collection would follow established code‑enforcement channels (DataTicket, state offsets and other collection tools) and discussed possible avenues for attaching unpaid fines to tax refunds or property assessments where law permits.

Council passed the introduction and first reading by roll call following the amendment. Staff said the item would return for second reading and final adoption and that the city would coordinate enforcement with the sheriff’s department and fire agency staffing increases during the July 4 and New Year periods.