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Council adopts ordinance allowing sale of ‘safe and sane’ fireworks, amid public and council concerns
Summary
The City Council adopted an ordinance amending municipal code chapter 8.3 to allow regulated sale and use of 'safe and sane' fireworks; debate focused on permit counts, carve-outs for schools, enforcement, insurance and wildfire risk. The ordinance passed 5–2.
The Orange City Council voted on Jan. 28 to adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 8.3 of the Orange Municipal Code to establish rules for the sale, possession and discharge of so-called "safe and sane" fireworks.
Mayor Pro Tem Bilodeau and other council members discussed how many temporary retailer permits to issue, with Bilodeau proposing increasing the initial allotment and other members urging carve-outs for local schools and limits to protect public safety. Bilodeau said he would be willing to increase the number of permits "up to 12 in the first year" and later suggested 15 with five set aside for educational institutions during discussion; council members discussed whether those details belong in the ordinance or a separate resolution.
Multiple residents warned that permitting fireworks in parts of the city could increase fire risk and raise insurance costs. One public commenter stated, "Fireworks are a liability for Orange," and several speakers from East Orange described repeated power shutoffs and evacuation risks in high fire-hazard areas.
City Attorney and staff clarified process constraints: the ordinance defines the regulatory framework; the number of permits is determined in a separate resolution and can be amended later. A motion to adopt the ordinance (with a minor correction to a timing typo) was made and seconded; the ordinance passed by roll call vote 5–2, with Council Members Barrios and Gutierrez recorded as voting no. (Multiple council members had earlier noted they registered no or abstentions on certain consent items.)
What the ordinance does: it creates a permitting regime for temporary fireworks sellers in defined areas, sets administrative flexibility for the public-works director to allow exemptions (for example for senior centers or long-term parking), and expresses rates and limits as maximums so the city can administratively adjust implementation details.
What remains to be decided: the council indicated the resolution — which sets the number of permits and other operational details — will return for further discussion and possible amendment at a future meeting.
