Vacaville council leans in favor of updated fireworks enforcement rule
The proposal would fine property owners $1,000 for dangerous fireworks use in the City of Vacaville.
(Photo by Matthew Keys / Solano NewsNet)
By: Solano NewsNet staff
Vacaville council members on Tuesday moved forward a proposal that would allow officials to fine property owners when illegal fireworks are used within the city.
Fireworks of all kinds have been illegal in Vacaville for years, including so-called “safe and sane” fireworks that are generally permissible in other areas.
A current ordinance on the books allows officials to charge those who use fireworks in Vacaville a fine of up to $1,000.
But fire officials say the current law isn’t enough to deter fireworks use in Vacaville. On Tuesday, the city’s fire department chief Kris Concepcion sent a letter to city officials asking for an update to the ordinance that would allow investigators to charge property owners a fine when fireworks are connected to their land or home.
Under the proposal, a first offense for lighting safe-and-sane fireworks would result in a fine of $250, with fines increasing up to $1,000 for repeated offenses.
Property owners who allow for dangerous use of fireworks on their property would be fined $1,000 per occurrence, the proposal says. They would be able to shift their liability if they provide investigators with enough information to determine who was responsible for firework use on their property. They also would not be liable for firework use if they provide city officials with enough information to prove they were not home when the fireworks were set off and that they had no prior knowledge that fireworks would be used while they were away.
The exception would also allow property owners who rent their homes through Airbnb and other vacation rental services to avoid liability, but only if they provide city officials with information about who was renting their home at the time of the incident.
“Though fireworks of any type are currently banned in the City of Vacaville, the use of fireworks is prevalent, especially around the Fourth of July holiday,” Concepcion wrote in the letter. “Since the Fourth of July holiday is also associated with extreme fire weather, fireworks pose a threat to the City. In response, Police and Fire step up enforcement efforts around [the Fourth of July holiday], but, to date, have been unsuccessful in decreasing firework activity.”
Last year, firefighters responded to over 160 calls for service related to illegal fireworks in Vacaville, Concepcion told Solano NewsNet on Tuesday. One call involved a small house fire that was linked to illegal fireworks use.
Council members seemed receptive to a presentation put on by Concepcion and Fire Marshall Jill Childers on Tuesday, with the bulk of the council’s comments focused on how funds generated through fines would be spent.
(Photo by Matthew Keys/Solano NewsNet)
Council Member Michael Silva (Vacaville, District 2) suggested the money be allocated for community-based programs. City administration officials didn’t turn down the idea, but suggested moving the ordinance forward as it was written and tabling discussion of how the money would be spent until the city’s budget was up for discussion.
"We would need to look into whether or not we could allocate the funding that way," Vacaville City Clerk Michelle Thornbrugh said.
"Of course we can," an animated Silva responded. "We make the policies."
Others were concerned over the possibility that the ordinance could frustrate members of the public who call for police or fire service when fireworks are used, only to experience a delay in having their calls responded to.
"You're going to get a lot of residents that expect everyone to be everywhere," Vacaville Mayor Ron Rowlett said. "There's thousands of fireworks, and there's no way we're going to chase them all, [and] they're going to come back to us and say we failed because we're not going to be able to catch them all."
Rowlett also worried that fireworks users will simply move away from property lines in order to avoid being caught.
In the end, Rowlett and other city council members approved moving the ordinance to a second reading for possible adoption.
Connect with Solano NewsNet on Twitter and Facebook for breaking news updates.
We’re proud to produce independent news for Solano County. This newsletter is an all-volunteer effort. If you would like to show your appreciation, consider making a donation in any amount or signing up for a paid subscription.