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Hawaiian Gardens council adopts stricter fireworks rules, names 'responsible person' for violations
Summary
The City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2026-0625, amending Chapter 6.28 of the Hawaiian Gardens Municipal Code to authorize administrative citations and nuisance abatement for illegal fireworks, define a 'responsible person' and expand outreach including two mailers and social media notices.
The Hawaiian Gardens City Council voted unanimously April 22 to adopt Ordinance No. 2026-0625, tightening local rules on illegal fireworks and clarifying who can be held responsible for violations.
City staff said the ordinance amends chapter 6.28 of the municipal code to add a definition of "responsible person" — a property owner, lessee or social host who may be cited if illegal fireworks are discharged on their property or in the adjacent public right-of-way when they knew or should have known about the activity. Staff told the council that violations are already subject to administrative citation, but the update would allow the city to treat recurring fireworks that threaten health, safety or welfare as a public nuisance and pursue abatement and civil penalties.
The staff presentation noted the city allows "safe and sane" fireworks on the Fourth of July but has received complaints about illegal fireworks used year-round and cited state authorization for local regulation. To publicize the change, public safety plans two mailers (May and June), social media posts and message-board notices; staff said they would include property-owner contact information from the county assessor to reach landlords as well as tenants.
Council members asked how the city will reach landlords who do not receive tenants' mailings. Staff said they can pull assessor records to notify property owners directly and recommend landlords send notices to renters as part of lease communications.
The council read the ordinance title, found the action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and approved the ordinance on a roll-call vote with all members voting yes.
The ordinance is effective following the city's standard adoption procedures; staff said outreach will precede enforcement to alert residents and property owners to the new responsibilities.
