CITY OF WOODLAND
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE
CHANGES TO WOODLAND MUNICIPAL CODE 8.20:
FIREWORKS
At a meeting of the City Council of the City of Woodland to be held on May 20, 2025, the Ordinance as described below will be considered for adoption for the following purpose:
There has been a marked increase in the usage of illegal fireworks in our community, as well as a marked increase in the use of Safe and sane fireworks outside of the codified timeframe. To combat the increase usage of illegal fireworks throughout our city, as well as the usage of Safe and sane fireworks outside of the codified timeframe, the following proposed changes to the existing Woodland Municipal Code are proposed and under review:
Section 8.20.042 – Fireworks prohibited generally.
Change in the ordinance makes possession of fireworks in violation of this prohibition as subject to penalty including, but not limited to, citation as described in Section 8.20.060, fire, and civil and criminal liability.
The civil liability is $1,000 per device.
Section 8.20.044. – Public fireworks display- Exception
Public displays of fireworks may be given with a written permit issued by the Fire Chief so long as such display takes place under the supervision and direction of a State of California licensed operator holding a valid license from the California State Fire Marshal and the Fire Chief.
8.20.046. “Safe and sane” fireworks- Exception.
Change in the ordinance will allow for a $1,000 fine to be assessed for each firework possessed, ignited, exploded, discharged, used, or displayed. Possession is defined as having direct or indirect custody and/or control of any dangerous firework prohibited under the ordinance.
8.20.060. Citation and Fines
The Fire Chief, or designee, members of the Community Risk Reduction Division of the Woodland Fire Department, City code enforcement officers, City police officers, and other City officers designated by the Fire Chief shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter, at their sole discretion.
Any violation of this chapter shall be grounds for civil citation and fine of $1,000.00 per violation. Each individual firework device possessed, ignited, exploded, discharged, used, or displayed constitutes a violation of this chapter and, therefore, subject to a $1,000 fine for each device. A host shall be strictly liable for each individual firework device on their property or at their gathering and, therefore, subject to $1,000 fine for each device. A person in care, custody, or control, of a minor shall be strictly liable for each individual violation by the minor and, therefore, subject to $1,000 fine for each violation. Multiple persons may be cited and fined for a single device.
The citing officer is authorized to confiscate any and all fireworks, including Safe and Sane fireworks, in apparent violation of this chapter.
A full copy of the proposed Ordinance is on file in the office of the City Clerk, 300 First Street, Woodland, CA. Should this ordinance be approved by City Council at the above-mentioned meeting, the Ordinance itself shall become effective 30 days following such passage.
Dated: May 15, 2025
Sarah Lansburgh, CMC, City Clerk