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Council keeps safe‑and‑sane sales for 2025, approves 10% regulatory fee amid enforcement debate
Summary
After a long public hearing and more than a dozen public speakers—including nonprofit booths that rely on the revenue—the council set a 10% regulatory fee for safe‑and‑sane fireworks sales for 2025 instead of imposing a one‑year moratorium. The vote was 5–2.
The San Bernardino City Council voted 5–2 on June 4 to set the 2025 regulatory fee for safe‑and‑sane fireworks sales at 10% rather than adopt a one‑year moratorium on sales and use.
Finance staff presented the city’s enforcement cost estimate for the temporary fireworks window and described the regulatory fee as a mechanism to recover permitting and enforcement costs. The staff estimate showed regulatory and enforcement costs in the range of about $270,000, while nonprofit booths and vendors reported they provide roughly $90,000 in sales tax and local fees. Finance staff also noted the city receives written comments and nine written submissions on the item.
The council heard extensively from nonprofit organizations and school and youth sports groups that rely on the short fireworks selling season for their annual fundraising. Multiple speakers told council that losing the fundraising opportunity would reduce or eliminate programs for students and other community services.
Law‑enforcement staff reported enforcement statistics from last year: 231 calls for service related to fireworks, 17,695 pounds of fireworks confiscated, 12 felony arrests and 32 misdemeanor arrests tied to fireworks enforcement, and multiple firearm confiscations associated with enforcement operations. Police representatives said a combination of undercover purchases, patrols and targeted enforcement reduced calls for service from prior years.
Public commenters and some councilmembers urged tougher measures on illegal fireworks—packages often characterized as “bombs” by residents—while noting that a ban on safe‑and‑sane sales would not stop illegal imports. Several residents and veterans said repeated loud explosions cause distress to people and animals; animal welfare speakers described a distemper outbreak at the city shelter and urged better animal vaccination and intake policies.
After debate the council adopted the regulatory fee at 10% (resolution), with Mayor Pro Tem and Councilmember Ortiz voting in opposition. Councilmembers who voted in favor said the fee both offsets enforcement costs and preserves nonprofit fundraising in the short term while staff and the council continue to explore longer‑term solutions to illegal fireworks.
