San Bernardino council votes 5–1 to begin one‑year fireworks moratorium, directs staff to draft ordinance
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San Bernardino — The City Council voted to put a one‑year moratorium on the retail sale of consumer fireworks, asking staff to develop ordinance language and enforcement options for council review.
City staff told the council that California law already prohibits certain dangerous fireworks and that the city currently permits limited retail sales during a narrow window around Independence Day. Staff reviewed enforcement costs and said the city’s revenue from fireworks and citations in recent years is limited, while potential nonprofit revenue could be roughly $100,000 annually. Staff recommended either an ordinance with enhanced penalties and property‑owner accountability or a short moratorium to study the impacts.
Public testimony split the room. John Kellen, president of TYT Fireworks, urged caution about an outright ban and raised questions about enforcement specifics and the size of fines; Kenneth Alvarado and other nonprofit representatives said sales fund community services. Other residents and some councilmembers emphasized safety, illegal fireworks enforcement and impacts on animal welfare.
After debate about data and enforcement costs, the council voted to proceed with a pause on retail sales while staff returns with an ordinance and supporting analysis. The transcript records the moratorium vote passing 5–1, with Miembro Ortiz recorded in opposition. Councilmembers directed staff to return with ordinance language and data, with an indicated schedule for drafting and tentative February readings and adoption dates referenced in the staff presentation.
What’s next: Staff will prepare ordinance drafts that may include increased penalties, owner liability and drone‑assisted surveillance options and return to council for review and potential readings in February.
City staff told the council that California law already prohibits certain dangerous fireworks and that the city currently permits limited retail sales during a narrow window around Independence Day. Staff reviewed enforcement costs and said the city’s revenue from fireworks and citations in recent years is limited, while potential nonprofit revenue could be roughly $100,000 annually. Staff recommended either an ordinance with enhanced penalties and property‑owner accountability or a short moratorium to study the impacts.
Public testimony split the room. John Kellen, president of TYT Fireworks, urged caution about an outright ban and raised questions about enforcement specifics and the size of fines; Kenneth Alvarado and other nonprofit representatives said sales fund community services. Other residents and some councilmembers emphasized safety, illegal fireworks enforcement and impacts on animal welfare.
After debate about data and enforcement costs, the council voted to proceed with a pause on retail sales while staff returns with an ordinance and supporting analysis. The transcript records the moratorium vote passing 5–1, with Miembro Ortiz recorded in opposition. Councilmembers directed staff to return with ordinance language and data, with an indicated schedule for drafting and tentative February readings and adoption dates referenced in the staff presentation.
What’s next: Staff will prepare ordinance drafts that may include increased penalties, owner liability and drone‑assisted surveillance options and return to council for review and potential readings in February.
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