City of Long Beach - File #: 21-0511

• File #: 21-0511
• Version: 2
• Name: ORD - Fireworks 8.81
• Type: Emergency Ordinance
• Status: Adopted
• File created: 5/28/2021
• In control: City Council
• On agenda: 6/8/2021
• Final action: 6/15/2021
• Title: Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by adding Chapter 8.81 relating to fireworks; and by repealing Section 16.08.600 of the Long Beach Municipal Code; declaring the urgency thereof; and declaring that this ordinance shall take effect immediately, read and adopted as read. (Citywide)
• Sponsors: City Attorney

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
6/15/2021	2	City Council	approve recommendation and adopt	Pass
6/8/2021	1	City Council	approve recommendation to declare Emergency Ordinance No. ORD- , read, and adopted as read and laid over to the next regular meeting of the City Council for final reading	Pass
6/8/2021	1	City Council	approve recommendation to declare an emergency to exist	Pass

TITLE
Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by adding Chapter 8.81 relating to fireworks; and by repealing Section 16.08.600 of the Long Beach Municipal Code; declaring the urgency thereof; and declaring that this ordinance shall take effect immediately, read and adopted as read. (Citywide)

DISCUSSION
Pursuant to your request on July 14, 2020, this Ordinance has been prepared and is submitted for your consideration and approval.

Over the past several years, the City of Long Beach has seen a significant increase in the amount of illegal fireworks activity, particularly in the time period leading up to and during both the July 4th and New Year's holiday celebrations and also year-round Both the Long Beach Police Department and the Long Beach Fire Department have incurred increased costs in order to respond to illegal fireworks calls during these time periods. The increased illegal fireworks activity has caused a significant negative impact on the public health, safety, and general welfare of the City's residents. In particular, there is a disproportionate detrimental impact on
veterans and other survivors of PTSD, small children, as well as on pets.

The City's Fireworks Task Force is committed to finding ways to address these issues. Without additional enforcement tools, the City's efforts to mitigate illegal fireworks will be less effective. In addition, recently introduced fireworks legislation may impose a state-mandated local program. During its meeting on October 13,
2020, City Council directed the Fireworks Task Force to develop an amended ordinance to provide additional enforcement tools and an increase in penalties to effectively reduce the negative impact of illegal fireworks on the community. The concept of a social host ordinance for illegal fireworks activities has been used successfully in many jurisdictions in California, including Kern County, Redwood City, Rohnert Park, Lemoore, and Hanford. State fireworks ...