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San Bernardino council keeps safe‑and‑sane sales, imposes 10% regulatory fee; moratorium rejected
Summary
After a lengthy public hearing with strong views on both sides, the council voted 5–2 to approve a 10% regulatory fee on nonprofit fireworks sales and declined to impose a one‑year moratorium on safe‑and‑sane fireworks sales and use for FY25–26.
The San Bernardino City Council voted on June 4 to set the city’s 2025 regulatory fee on sales of “safe and sane” fireworks at 10% of sales and declined to adopt a one‑year moratorium on the sale and use of consumer fireworks.
Council discussion and votes: Following nearly an hour of public comment that included nonprofit sellers, coaches and youth‑sport volunteers, veterans and residents urging both sides, the council approved the 10% regulatory fee. The motion to set the 2025 regulatory fee at 10% passed 5–2 (Mayor Pro Tem and Council member Ortiz voted no). The council rejected an urgency ordinance that would have imposed a one‑year moratorium on safe‑and‑sane fireworks in FY25–26.
Staff analysis presented at the hearing: Finance staff noted that the city’s regulatory and enforcement cost associated with the fireworks season — inspection, police and business registration enforcement — is approximately $269,844 in staff and enforcement costs. Staff reported recent annual fireworks sales revenue and said the nonprofit sellers typically remit about $90,000 in sales taxes and fees; with a 10% regulatory fee the city expects to recover additional regulatory costs. The council and staff discussed enforcement costs, the relationship between legal “safe and sane” sales and illegal fireworks outside the permitted window, and whether a moratorium would reduce illegal use or push sales into neighboring jurisdictions.
Public comments: Dozens of speakers addressed the council. Nonprofit leaders and volunteer organizations said sales fund youth sports, school programs and small nonprofits; they urged the council to permit sales and allow nonprofits time to plan. Other residents and community groups urged a ban or pause, citing fire risk, animal welfare, and trauma to veterans and children. The city’s police and fire staff described enforcement actions and a 2024 enforcement summary: 231 calls for service, 17,695 pounds of fireworks confiscated, 12 felony and 32 misdemeanor arrests, and seizure of 15 firearms. Animal welfare advocates, veterans and residents described distress from illegal fireworks and urged stronger enforcement.
Why it matters: Sales of safe‑and‑sane fireworks provide modest revenue and funding to local nonprofits but are linked in testimony and enforcement to illegal fireworks use. Council members weighed the competing priorities of public safety and supporting community nonprofit fundraising when setting policy.
Follow up: Council directed staff to continue enforcement efforts and to include regulatory fee collection in the FY25‑26 revenue monitoring. The council asked staff to provide data on citations, enforcement costs and outcomes if patterns change.
