Among the proposed changes is a provision limiting possession of legal fireworks to the period between June 28 and July 6. Designed by Magnific

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Gridley officials are considering stricter regulations on the use of legal "safe and sane" fireworks, including limits on when they can be used, $1,000 administrative fines for violations and expanded liability for parents and social hosts.

The Gridley City Council discussed potential ordinance changes during meetings June 1 and June 15, directing staff to continue refining the proposal before bringing a draft ordinance back for formal consideration.

City officials said the proposed changes are intended to provide additional enforcement options when legal fireworks are used outside approved time periods and to address ongoing fireworks-related complaints.

"I think the hope is with adopting a new structure here that it will at least push firework use to a shorter period of time and into a shorter window of time," City Attorney Scott Little said.

Among the proposed changes is a provision limiting possession of legal fireworks to the period between June 28 and July 6. Fireworks could only be discharged between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. during those dates.

The proposal would also establish administrative penalties of $1,000 per violation. Under the draft language, each separate fireworks violation could be treated as an individual offense subject to the fine.

Additional provisions under consideration would make parents or guardians responsible when minors use fireworks without adult supervision and create social host liability for property owners or event organizers who knowingly allow fireworks violations on property under their control. The proposed ordinance would also give the City Council authority to temporarily suspend fireworks use during declared emergencies or periods of extreme fire danger, including drought conditions or Red Flag warnings. Public notice of any suspension would be provided through city communication channels.

Council members generally supported administrative fines rather than creating additional criminal penalties. Little said local administrative penalties would allow the city to pursue enforcement directly rather than relying on prosecution through the district attorney's office.

Vice Mayor Bruce Johnson suggested requiring fireworks vendors to provide safety information and post city fireworks regulations at sales booths. Little said the city could require sellers to post local fireworks rules as part of the ordinance.

Council members offered additional direction June 15, discussing administrative fines, safety rules, possession dates and potential exceptions before sending the proposal back for revisions. Council members generally favored administrative fines for minor violations, clearer safety information at the point of sale and revisions to the proposed possession restrictions. Some members also discussed allowing legal fireworks use during New Year's celebrations.

No ordinance has been adopted. Council members directed staff to return with updated language for future consideration, and any new regulations would require future council approval before taking effect. Because the proposal remains under review, no changes are expected to be in place before this year's Independence Day holiday.

Illegal fireworks are already prohibited under state law and can be prosecuted as misdemeanors, officials said. The proposed ordinance focuses largely on regulating when and how legal fireworks may be used within city limits while creating additional local enforcement tools for violations.

"While an ordinance amendment may not eliminate all fireworks-related issues, it would be a positive step toward reducing the use of illegal fireworks within the City of Gridley," Police Chief Todd Farr said.

Farr said the Police Department will continue enforcing laws governing illegal fireworks regardless of whether the ordinance is adopted.