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Council introduces updated fireworks ordinance to align with state rule on fines and disposal costs
Summary
Crescent City introduced Ordinance No. 8.52 to clean up language and specify that 65% of administrative fines for illegal fireworks must be remitted to the State Fire Marshal; maximum administrative fines remain $1,000, $2,000 or $3,000 and the definition of illegal fireworks is unchanged.
The Crescent City Council introduced changes to its fireworks ordinance Monday to align municipal code language with state requirements and to clarify administrative procedures for fines and disposal.
City Attorney Rice reviewed the proposed Ordinance No. 8.52, which performs housekeeping edits to the existing code and explicitly states that 65% of administrative fines collected for illegal fireworks must be remitted to the State Fire Marshal. “It basically allows the city to issue citations in the amount of 1,000, 2,000, or $3,000 for the possession, use, or sale of illegal fireworks,” Rice said, and staff emphasized the ordinance does not change the state’s definition of illegal fireworks already in use.
Rice and council members discussed that the county and harbor had taken similar steps after a serious injury last Fourth of July, and staff noted that the county adopted an ordinance where none had existed before. Council member questions clarified that the substantive change is the explicit cost‑share language (65% remitted) and that existing prohibitions on dangerous fireworks remain unchanged.
Chiefs and public‑safety staff described enforcement challenges on high‑call nights, noting evidence and witness collection can be difficult during large celebrations, and outlined plans for joint enforcement and staffing strategies for an upcoming Fourth of July period. Staff also said seized fireworks are handled through state channels and that remittance to the State Fire Marshal helps cover disposal costs.
Council voted unanimously to waive full reading, read the ordinance by title only, and introduce Ordinance No. 8.52 for further consideration and public review.
Staff said additional coordinated outreach with the county, harbor and law‑enforcement partners will continue, and an item with more detailed operational plans is expected in April.
