Coeur d'Alene council adopts tougher fireworks enforcement, plans quick review of wording

The Coeur d'Alene City Council on June 16 adopted Council Bill 26-1011, amending the city’s fireworks code to give police more authority to act when illegal aerial fireworks are used from private property.

The ordinance makes it unlawful "for any owner of any property or tenant in possession of said property to knowingly allow another to possess, use any fireworks other than non-aerial common fireworks on said property," and states that when such fireworks are found on a property it is evidence the owner or tenant knowingly allowed possession or use. Council approved the ordinance by roll-call vote after a lengthy discussion of enforcement and education.

Council members and public commenters linked the change to wildfire risk and public-safety impacts. "It's about time," public commenter Terry Montaigne said, urging clearer authority for police to cite violators after recounting local wildfire evacuations. Police Captain Dave Hager told the council officers frequently arrive after mortar-style aerial fireworks have been fired and that, under the existing code, officers often must witness the act to cite a specific person. "By the time we get around, those mortars could be sitting in the driveway," he said, arguing the ordinance gives officers an evidence standard to pursue repeat offenders while emphasizing education and voluntary compliance where possible.

Not all speakers supported the amendment. Christine Zarandona said the proposal risked infringing on residents’ freedoms and urged alternatives such as fuels-reduction work, calling for more fire-resilient landscaping and training for volunteers. Mayor and council members acknowledged those concerns and several urged robust public outreach before July 4 to notify residents — including short‑term rental operators — about the change.

Council also directed staff to return quickly with clarifying language. Councilmember Sheckler successfully moved to place a discussion of potential amendments on the July 7 agenda so the council can consider softening some language (for example, changing "shall" to "may" in portions that treat found fireworks as evidence) and adding explicit seizure and parental‑responsibility language. The council said it intends to pair enforcement tools with education and warnings for first-time or inadvertent violators.

The ordinance will be published as required and enforcement and public outreach will be coordinated by police and the city attorney’s office. Council members said they expect officials to prioritize education and voluntary compliance while reserving citations for repeat or egregious cases.

The council’s action followed a public-comment period in which residents described near-misses and property risk from aerial fireworks and urged a stronger response. The item will return to council July 7 for possible amendments to the adopted language.