Introduce by title only, waive first reading, and receive public comment on proposed ordinance amendments to Title 4, Chapter 2 "Fireworks" of the Yolo County Code (Attachment A); direct staff to file a Notice of Exemption; and continue the item to the June 3, 2025 Board of Supervisors Meeting for a second reading and adoption. (No general fund impact) (Lindbo) (Est Time: 10 minutes)

The goal of these proposed amendments is to update the Fireworks Ordinance to the current regulatory standards and fire risks. The last time the Board of Supervisors amended the Fireworks Ordinance was in 2001, and since that time, State regulations regarding fireworks have changed, and climate change has increased the risks associated with fires that can be started with fireworks. 

The process of updating the ordinance included researching other similar ordinances in other jurisdictions, including the counties of Los Angeles, Placer, Sacramento, Santa Clara, San Diego, El Dorado, Sonoma, Shasta, Tehema, and Butte. Additionally, staff collaborated with the City of Woodland staff, since their fireworks ordinance was recently updated. A summary of the comparisons to other jurisdictions is provided in Attachment B.

Curtailment of the use of dangerous fireworks and other violations of this Chapter is through the proposed increase in fines, which are proposed to increase from $100.00 for the first violation, $200.00 for the second, $500.00 for the third, and up to $1,000.00 or imprisonment for the fourth and subsequent violation within one year, to the proposed change of $1,000 fine per violation. All fines collected through enforcement efforts will be deposited into the General Fund. Any violation of this Chapter would be an infraction.   

Enforcement action may be appealed through the administrative hearing process of the County's Code Enforcement Ordinance, Section 1-5.09.

Violations of this ordinance may be enforced by any County Code Enforcement Officer, the Chief Building Official, the County Health Officer, the Sheriff's Office, or the fire chief of the fire protection district in which the violation takes place.  

Additionally, this policy removes the establishment of specific fees for the sale of Safe and Sane Fireworks from the ordinance, and instead refers to the Master Fee Schedule. The fees will be included with the update of the Master Fee Schedule in June 2025.

The amendments are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because "it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment...." CEQA Guidelines §15061(b)(3). It can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the amendments to the Fireworks Ordinance will have a significant effect on the environment because the Ordinance will maintain current levels of development and regulations. Staff will be directed to file a Notice of Exemption upon adoption of the amendments.