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Island County adopts ban on sale of mortar-style fireworks in unincorporated areas
Summary
The Board of Island County Commissioners voted 2–1 to adopt Ordinance C 45 25 to prohibit the sale of mortar-style fireworks in unincorporated Island County, citing alignment with an earlier local ban on their discharge; commissioners discussed cross-jurisdictional sales and enforcement implications.
Island County’s Board of Commissioners voted to adopt Ordinance C 45 25 on Dec. 2, 2025, prohibiting the sale of mortar-style fireworks in unincorporated parts of the county.
The chair opened a public hearing on the ordinance, saying it would align local code with the county’s prior prohibition on the use of mortar fireworks and remove a sale pathway that had remained legal. Sunny Fitzgerald, an online commenter, urged the board to “ban the sale of mortars consistent with the current ban on the use of mortars,” saying the two rules should sync.
Commissioners discussed geographic and enforcement issues during deliberations. Commissioner Saint Clair noted that some unincorporated areas border jurisdictions that still allow mortar discharges and that nonprofits sometimes sell these items nearby; she said residents may not know jurisdictional boundaries. Commissioner Johnson also described the move as an alignment with the board’s previous decision and clarified the ordinance applies to unincorporated areas, not countywide.
The motion to adopt Ordinance C 45 25 passed by a 2–1 vote. The board did not place additional implementation steps on the record during the meeting; staff later confirmed administration will incorporate the change into the county code and enforcement procedures.
The ordinance was described in the hearing as an amendment to Island County code chapter 9.08 regarding fireworks. The board closed the public hearing and proceeded to other business.
