Committee approves shorter review window for Sheboygan fireworks permits

The Sheboygan City Licensing and Public Safety Committee on Wednesday approved an amendment to municipal code section 24-338 that lets the fire chief accept late fireworks-display permit applications and complete a 14-day review.

Attorney Maderas told the committee the change responds to situations when the city’s traditional July 4 fireworks application misses the ordinance deadline and that the current ordinance lacks a mechanism for later submissions. "We thought that this would be a cleaner option," Attorney Maderas said, describing a shorter administrative review period for the fire department.

The fire chief told the committee the department receives only a few display applications each year—"on average we may get two, three"—and that a 14-day period "is adequate," while preserving authority to deny an application that fails to meet safety criteria.

Alder Heideman moved to approve the ordinance amendment; Alder Perella seconded. The committee voted unanimously in favor, with ayes recorded from Alder Heideman, Alder Perella, Alder Kelly, Alder Boris, Alder Ravine and the chair.

Under the amendment the fire chief may accept late submissions if "good cause is shown" and may reject requests that do not meet the ordinance criteria. The change was presented as an administrative mechanism to speed review for time-sensitive displays such as July 4 events and private celebrations; the transcript records that the most fireworks-display applications the department has received in a single year is three.

The committee approved the amendment; the transcript does not specify any further procedural steps or effective date in the meeting record.