Chino council delays vote on fireworks ordinance after nonprofits and wholesaler raise concerns

City of Chino staff asked the City Council on Feb. 4 to introduce an ordinance amending Chapter 8.12 of the Chino Municipal Code to tighten safety rules for retail "safe and sane" fireworks sales, but councilmembers delayed the item for two weeks after public comment and vendor objections.

The proposed changes would strengthen language about the responsibility of a booth watchman and would require wholesalers to pick up unsold fireworks stock from retail booths by 5 p.m. on July 5, per the version presented at the meeting. Sylvia Avalos, Director of Community Services, told the council the Community Services Parks and Recreation Commissionand its fireworks review subcommittee recommended the changes after an incident in 2024 in which an unattended truck and trailer loaded with fireworks was found in an area where fireworks are prohibited.

Why it matters: Councilmembers said they support public safety but heard widespread concern from local nonprofits that sell fireworks as their largest annual fundraiser. Several nonprofit representatives and booth volunteers told the council that requiring wholesalers to pick up unsold product could impose large fees on groups that depend on the proceeds.

Nonprofit leaders told the council they often rely on small volunteer rosters and that returns to the wholesalertypically routed to a facility in Rialtocan already be logistically difficult and time-consuming. Carly Remender, representing Don Lugo Band Boosters, said groups sometimes face a $1,000to $1,500 charge per booth for a pickup appointment at the wholesaler and asked the council to seek a compromise so local groups do not lose large portions of their proceeds. "I'm just asking that you come to a compromise that will keep everybody safe, allow the nonprofit organizations to sell their fundraisers," Remender said.

TNT Fireworks, the wholesaler represented at the meeting by Vice President John Kelly, described operational constraints and said the company wanted flexibility to process returns. "We are just here to comply with whatever you come up with tonight," Kelly told the council, while also describing how a centralized return process could work. Staff said Phantom, another wholesaler in town, told staff it would comply with the ordinance as drafted and would not charge vendors for pickup if the code required wholesaler collection.

Council response and action: After lengthy public comment and council discussion about safety, vendor practice changes over time, and the financial impact on nonprofits, the council directed staff to meet with stakeholders and returned the ordinance item for consideration in two weeks. Staff said the city would continue to accept retail permit applications (the municipal code requires the application period), but would notify applicants that the ordinance is under review and additional changes may follow.

Clarifying context: Councilmembers cited commission materials showing 24to 25 fireworks booths in Chino and that booth net profits vary widely; one commission summary cited an average net of about $17,800 per booth, a low of about $3,897 and a high near $60,000 across booths. Staff explained the proposed pickup deadline (5 p.m. July 5) was intended to limit unsold product in neighborhoods overnight. At the meeting, one wholesaler said some vendors might charge for pickup; staff reported Phantom said it would not charge if the city required pickup by code.

Next steps: The council asked staff to meet with nonprofit representatives, wholesalers and commission members and return with an amended plan and a resolution in two weeks. Staff also said applications slated to open Feb. 14 will remain available but applicants will be asked to await the council's forthcoming ordinance revisions.