Officials in two more Orange County cities are strengthening their fireworks regulations ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday celebration on Independence Day. The moves come as municipalities across the region continue efforts to curb illegal pyrotechnics that have long plagued neighborhoods during summer celebrations.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, the Orange City Council is scheduled to debate a social host ordinance that would make property owners liable for illegal fireworks used on their property. According to Voice of OC<\/a>, the proposed law would implement fines of up to $7,000 for three or more violations within a three-year period and authorize the use of drones to enforce the regulations.<\/p>\n Last week, the Placentia City Council voted unanimously to approve a new ordinance making it a misdemeanor to discharge fireworks within city limits. The new law, which replaces a prior municipal code repealed in December 2022, explicitly bans the use, discharge, manufacturing, selling and transportation of any fireworks in Placentia.<\/p>\n “Currently, we don’t have a clear enforcement ability. So this will bring back that ability to solve these community problems,” said Thomas Mckenzie, administrative police lieutenant and project manager, at the council meeting. “Our community is very important to all of us and we want to make sure that these concerns are addressed swiftly and appropriately.”<\/p>\n Under Placentia’s new ordinance, violators face fines ranging from $500 to $1,000 for a first offense, along with possible imprisonment in county jail for up to one year. Second offenses carry a $1,000 penalty and up to one year of jail time. The council is slated to adopt the ordinance on May 5, with the law taking full effect 30 days later.<\/p>\n The stricter regulations follow a trend across Orange County, where cities have implemented various approaches to combat illegal fireworks. Last year, numerous cities adopted social host ordinances<\/a> allowing property owners to be fined for illegal fireworks used on their property.<\/p>\n Cities like Anaheim, Fullerton and Stanton have chosen social host ordinances while allowing “safe and sane” fireworks sold at approved stands. Other municipalities including La Habra, Irvine and Laguna Beach have banned all fireworks outright.<\/p>\n