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Sheriff seeks expanded fireworks enforcement; board asks for edits after vendor and public comments
Summary
The sheriff introduced an ordinance to strengthen fireworks enforcement and allow property-owner liability; vendors and residents asked for changes. The board directed staff to revise the draft and return for reintroduction rather than adopt it at the March 11 meeting.
The Madera County Sheriff's Office presented a proposed revision to Chapter 9.36 of the county code on March 11 that would broaden fireworks enforcement powers, make property owners accountable for fireworks launched from their land, and establish clearer permitting and vendor rules.
Lieutenant Ryan Biddigan presented the measure and said current code requires law enforcement to witness an individual discharging dangerous fireworks in order to cite them, a standard that limits enforcement. The draft ordinance would allow authorities to cite property owners if violations occur on their land and would add administrative enforcement tools intended to streamline prosecution and improve public safety.
Public comment included both operators of legal fireworks stands and vendors. Roger Knottz, who has operated a fireworks stand at Parkwood Center for 13 years, urged the board to consider grandfathering existing for-profit vendors or to provide additional time to wind down their fundraising relationships. Representatives of TNT Fireworks warned that some proposed timeframes in the draft (for removal of stands within three days) would be infeasible and suggested extending removal deadlines or allowing a short grandfathering period for long-standing vendors.
Other public commenters, including residents, described the damage and safety risks caused by illegal fireworks and asked for stronger enforcement and tools such as social-host liability, administrative citations and enhanced monitoring.
Board response and next steps: County counsel and staff acknowledged typographical errors and that vendor eligibility and removal timeframes merit revision. Counsel recommended returning the ordinance after additional edits rather than adopting it at this meeting. The board directed staff to revise and return the item for reconsideration; a specific new hearing date was not adopted in the public record but staff suggested aiming for a reintroduction after further review.
Why it matters: Illegal fireworks have been associated with structure fires, property damage and public-safety incidents in dry conditions. The sheriff's office said local enforcement would be strengthened by the proposal, but vendors asked for clarification and transitional provisions so long-standing nonprofit or for-profit sellers are not unduly harmed.
Speakers listed in the transcript include Lieutenant Ryan Biddigan and fireworks vendors Roger Knottz and Louis Linney.
