Franklin council introduces ordinance to repeal and replace fireworks rules
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Summary
The council introduced Ordinance 2025-2 to repeal and replace Ordinance 2013-4 governing sale and use of fireworks; senior planner Joanna Tunnel said the rewrite aligns local definitions with the Indiana Code, clarifies where fireworks can be used, requires written consent to discharge on public property, and sets progressive local penalties ($50, $100, $500).
At the March 3, 2025 meeting the Franklin City Council introduced Ordinance 2025-2, a repeal-and-replace of Ordinance 2013-4 addressing the sale and use of fireworks. City Attorney Lynn Gray and Senior Planner Joanna Tunnel presented the ordinance and said it is being introduced to align local code with the Indiana Code and to make enforcement clearer.
Tunnel said the draft adopts Indiana Code definitions for fireworks and retains state regulation of retail sales and state permitting for special discharges. Use of fireworks is limited to private property of the discharger or another person who gives permission; discharge on a public right-of-way, school property or city property is prohibited unless there is express written consent that includes the name of the person granted permission, the address or detailed location and the dates of consent. Tunnel said responding officers may request the written consent and that lack of required consent would be a violation enforceable locally.
On penalties, Tunnel said the draft provides a progression of local fines: $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense and $500 for subsequent offenses. She also noted that where a state-level violation is applicable officers have discretion whether to issue an Indiana Code citation (which can carry more severe penalties) or a municipal violation.
The ordinance was introduced for public hearing at the council’s next meeting; no final vote on the ordinance was taken on March 3.
