Chapter 8.16
FIREWORKS*
(effective until October 16, 2025)
Sections:
8.16.030 Fireworks unlawful—Permit required.
8.16.040 Consumer fireworks—When discharge permitted.
8.16.050 Permit application requirements.
8.16.070 Consumer fireworks—When sale permitted.
8.16.080 Retail sale of consumer fireworks—Structures.
8.16.090 Retail sale of consumer fireworks—Signage.
8.16.100 Public service announcements—Safe fireworks handling and discharge.
8.16.110 Approved storage facilities required.
8.16.120 Consumer fireworks—Where discharge prohibited.
8.16.130 Public display of fireworks—Additional provisions.
8.16.140 Permit coverage—Transfer of permit prohibited.
8.16.150 Revocation of permit.
8.16.160 Fireworks—Emergencies—Restrictions on sale and use.
8.16.170 Special effects for entertainment productions.
8.16.180 Excluded from Chapter 8.16.
* Prior ordinance history: Ords. 214, 250 and 546.
8.16.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to implement and supplement RCW Chapter 70.77 and WAC Chapter 212-17, hereafter referred to as the State Fireworks Law, as they now exist or may be hereafter amended. The provisions of this chapter shall be construed and applied in accordance with the definitions, requirements and prohibitions of the State Fireworks Law and all rules and regulations issued pursuant to the State Fireworks Law. (Ord. 565 § 1 (part), 2006)
8.16.020 Local fire official.
The city fire chief, sometimes referred to in this chapter as fire marshal, is designated as the local fire official for the city pursuant to the State Fireworks Law. (Ord. 565 § 1 (part), 2006)
8.16.030 Fireworks unlawful—Permit required.
Unless permitted pursuant to this chapter, it is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation in the city to manufacture, import, possess or sell fireworks at wholesale or retail for any use, to discharge fireworks at any place, to make a public display of fireworks or to transport fireworks by means other than common carrier. (Ord. 565 § 1 (part), 2006)
8.16.040 Consumer fireworks—When discharge permitted.
No person shall discharge or otherwise use any consumer fireworks within the city, except between the hours of one p.m. and 11:59 p.m. on July 3rd and July 4th, and between the hours of six p.m. on December 31st and one a.m. on January 1st. (Ord. 565 § 1 (part), 2006)
8.16.050 Permit application requirements.
A. The applicant shall have a valid license issued by the state of Washington authorizing the holder to engage in the fireworks activities sought in the permit application.
B. Permit applications shall be submitted in such form and containing such detail as is reasonably required by the fire marshal. Such applications shall, at a minimum, include the applicable permit application fees, clean-up deposit, state license(s), site drawings depicting permanent and temporary structures and other material features on the site, insurance certificate(s), storage sites and arrangements, and the name, address and telephone number of each applicant and any other responsible party.
C. In addition to the other requirements of the State Fireworks Law, the applicant shall procure and maintain a policy or policies of public general liability, bodily injury and property damage insurance in a company or companies approved by the fire marshal in the minimum amount of one million dollars, single limit. The city and Douglas County shall be named as additional named insureds on such policy. Certificates of coverage shall be filed with the fire marshal.
D. The applicant shall post a five hundred dollar cash deposit with each permit application conditioned upon the prompt removal of all temporary structures and the cleaning of all debris from the site. If the applicant removes all temporary structures and cleans up all debris within two days after the end of the permitted fireworks activities, the applicant shall be entitled to the return of the deposit. If the stand is not removed and debris is not cleaned prior to that time, the five hundred dollar deposit shall be forfeited and placed in the city general fund.
E. A fully complete application for the retail sale of consumer fireworks shall be filed with the fire marshal no later than last official business day of May in the calendar year for which the applicant is seeking a permit.
F. A fully complete application for a public display of fireworks shall be filed with the fire marshal no later than fourteen calendar days prior to the intended display. (Ord. 565 § 1 (part), 2006)
8.16.060 Permit fees.
The permit application fee for each application filed with the fire marshal shall be one hundred dollars, shall be paid to the fire marshal at the time the permit application is filed, and is nonrefundable. (Ord. 565 § 1 (part), 2006)
8.16.070 Consumer fireworks—When sale permitted.
No consumer fireworks shall be sold or offered for sale at retail, except between the hours of ten a.m. and ten p.m. on July 1st through July 3rd, and between the hours of ten a.m. and nine p.m. on July 4th. (Ord. 565 § 1 (part), 2006)
8.16.080 Retail sale of consumer fireworks—Structures.
The retail sale of consumer fireworks shall be permitted only from:
A. Permanent buildings used for no other purpose than the importation, storage, wholesaling and/or retailing of fireworks; provided that:
1. Such structure shall be approved by the building official and fire marshal;
2. The use of such structure shall conform to zoning, health, fire, safety and other applicable ordinances and regulations; and
3. The provisions of the State Fireworks Law pertaining to the operation of temporary fireworks stands shall apply to retail sales from permanent structures.
B. Temporary stands that comply with the applicable provisions of the State Fireworks Law and this chapter.
C. Permanent buildings and temporary stands used for the retail sale of consumer fireworks shall be located only where commercial activities are authorized under the zoning code. (Ord. 565 § 1 (part), 2006)
8.16.090 Retail sale of consumer fireworks—Signage.
In addition to all other signage requirements of the State Fireworks Law, a sign shall be conspicuously posted at each location where consumer fireworks are sold that reads as follows:
ONLY CONSUMER FIREWORKS LIKE THOSE SOLD AT THIS LOCATION MAY BE DISCHARGED IN THE CITY.
DISCHARGE OF FIREWORKS IS PERMITTED ONLY BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 1:00 P.M. AND 11:59 P.M. ON JULY 3 AND JULY 4 AND BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 6:00 P.M. ON DECEMBER 31 AND 1:00 A.M. ON JANUARY 1.
DISCHARGE OF BOTTLE ROCKETS, SKY ROCKETS, MISSILE-TYPE ROCKETS, FIRECRACKERS, SALUTES, AND CHASERS IS ILLEGAL AND WILL SUBJECT THE VIOLATOR TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.
(Ord. 565 § 1 (part), 2006)
8.16.100 Public service announcements—Safe fireworks handling and discharge.
Wholesalers distributing consumer fireworks for retail sale in the city shall conduct public service announcements during the time period of June 30th through July 4th of each calendar year. Such public service announcements shall be conducted by means sufficient to reach the city residents and shall provide information regarding the safe handling and discharge of consumer fireworks, illegal fireworks, and restrictions on the days and times during which consumer fireworks may be lawfully discharged. Public service announcements may be jointly conducted by fireworks wholesalers. (Ord. 565 § 1 (part), 2006)
8.16.110 Approved storage facilities required.
Temporary fireworks storage locations and facilities shall be approved in conjunction with issuance of a permit authorizing the retail sale of fireworks. Consumer fireworks remaining unsold after the lawful period of retail sales provided in Section 8.16.070 of this chapter shall be removed within two days to an approved storage facility. (Ord. 565 § 1 (part), 2006)
8.16.120 Consumer fireworks—Where discharge prohibited.
The discharge of consumer fireworks is prohibited in the following locations:
A. In or upon any publicly owned property; provided, that the chief administrative officer of publicly owned property may issue written permits for discharge of consumer fireworks on such terms and conditions as shall be deemed necessary to protect the public, public property and private property;
B. Within three hundred feet of any hotel, motel or other lodging facility, hospital, convalescent center, assisted-living center, public library, church, synagogue or other place of worship;
C. Within five hundred feet of any automotive service station or other premises where flammable liquids or gases in excess of five hundred gallons are stored; and
D. Within or from any structure, vehicle or vessel. (Ord. 565 § 1 (part), 2006)
8.16.130 Public display of fireworks—Additional provisions.
In addition to the requirements of the State Fireworks Law, the following provisions shall apply to the public display of fireworks:
A. All minimum clearances, site dimensions, separation clearances and landing areas shall be subject to review by and approval of the fire marshal. In the sole discretion of the fire marshal, the minimum standards of the State Fireworks Law may be increased to protect the public and property.
B. The applicant shall provide fire protection for the display. The fire marshal shall determine the level of personnel and equipment necessary. Prior to the public display, the applicant shall pay the full cost of the required personnel and equipment to the city.
C. The applicant shall provide crowd control for the display. The fire marshal shall determine the level of crowd control necessary, including the number and placement of crowd control monitors. If local law enforcement is providing crowd control, the applicant shall pay the full cost of the required personnel and equipment to the appropriate law enforcement agency prior to the display.
D. If, in the opinion of the fire marshal, the Douglas County sheriff or the pyrotechnic operator, a lack of fire protection or crowd control poses a danger to the public or property, then the fire marshal, the sheriff, or the pyrotechnic operator shall immediately suspend the display until the danger is corrected. (Ord. 565 § 1 (part), 2006)
8.16.140 Permit coverage—Transfer of permit prohibited.
A separate permit shall be obtained for each activity requiring a permit and for each location at which fireworks activity is undertaken. A permit shall be used only by the designated permittee and shall not be assigned or otherwise transferred. Any transfer or purported transfer of a permit shall be deemed a violation of this chapter and shall void the permit. (Ord. 565 § 1 (part), 2006)
8.16.150 Revocation of permit.
Any failure of or refusal by a permittee to comply with the requirements of a permit, to comply with the State Fireworks Law, to comply with this chapter, or to comply with any lawful requirement or order of the fire marshal concerning fireworks shall be grounds for revocation of a permit by the fire marshal. (Ord. 565 § 1 (part), 2006)
8.16.160 Fireworks—Emergencies—Restrictions on sale and use.
The fire marshal may prohibit the discharge of all fireworks during periods of extreme fire danger. (Ord. 565 § 1 (part), 2006)
8.16.170 Special effects for entertainment productions.
This chapter does not prohibit the assembling, compounding, use, and display of special effects by any person engaged in the production of motion pictures, radio, television productions or live entertainment when such use and display is a necessary part of the production and such person possesses a valid permit issued by the fire marshal. (Ord. 565 § 1 (part), 2006)
8.16.180 Excluded from Chapter 8.16.
This chapter does not apply to the operation of railways, motor vehicles, vessels or other transportation means for signal purposes or illumination, the use of signals at athletic events, operations conducted by law enforcement and the military, and agricultural and wildlife fireworks. (Ord. 565 § 1 (part), 2006)
8.16.190 Appeals.
Any person aggrieved by a decision of the fire marshal under this chapter may appeal the decision by filing an appeal in the Douglas County superior court and serving a copy of the appeal on the fire marshal within ten days after receipt of the fire marshal’s decision. (Ord. 565 § 1 (part), 2006)
8.16.200 Enforcement.
The fire marshal and the Douglas County sheriff shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 565 § 1 (part), 2006)
8.16.210 Penalties.
Each violation of this chapter shall be subject to the penalty for violation of a city ordinance as set forth in Section 1.20.020 of this code, as the same exists now or may hereafter be amended. (Ord. 565 § 1 (part), 2006)