Stanton council adopts Ordinance No. 1161, advances public‑safety ordinances on nitrous oxide and fireworks

The Stanton City Council took multiple formal actions at its meeting, adopting one ordinance and advancing two others aimed at public health and safety.

Adoption: Ordinance No. 1161 Staff presented Ordinance No. 1161, described in the staff report as adding chapter 1.4 to the Stanton Municipal Code. The council found the ordinance exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act and adopted the ordinance by roll call vote (item passed 5–0).

Introductions and next steps: nitrous oxide and social‑host liability Staff introduced an ordinance to add chapter 9.5 to the municipal code to prohibit retail sales of nitrous oxide except when sold for legitimate uses under state law (medical, dental, culinary, or vehicle‑performance uses). The ordinance is modeled on a County of Orange ordinance; staff said it would be introduced by title only and set for second reading and adoption at the council's April 22 meeting. Staff said vendor outreach will be conducted using the tobacco‑enforcement grant.

Staff also presented a proposed Social Host Liability ordinance aimed at illegal fireworks. The measure would make property owners or persons in control strictly liable for illegal fireworks sold, stored, possessed or discharged from their property, enforceable through administrative fines. Staff cited escalating fines for repeated 'safe and sane' violations (examples given: $100, then $200, then $500) and $1,000 per penalty for dangerous fireworks (an illustration of up to $10,000 for multiple incidents). Council discussion addressed outreach to apartment owners, evidence standards for citations (photographic/video), and stacking of penalties. The council advanced the measure and set further reading/adoption steps for the April 22 meeting.

What the actions mean Ordinance No. 1161 is now adopted and in effect as presented. The nitrous oxide and social‑host liability ordinances were introduced/advanced for further consideration; staff said the nitrous‑oxide proposal is intended to close a sales‑loophole that can allow sellers to avoid liability by failing to ask buyers why they purchase the product.

Next steps Staff will return with the required readings and adoption language on April 22, 2025, for the nitrous oxide and social host measures. The meeting record shows votes or formal advancement for these items as part of the council's motion-and-roll‑call process.