Title
Consider and take action on Ordinance No. 2024-57 amending Section 46-153 of the Code of Ordinances for the City of League City to allow limited fireworks during the New Year's Holiday and Independence Day Holiday - Second Reading (Mayor Long)
Council approved first reading 6-2-0, December 17, 2024.
Background:
Approval of this ordinance will allow limited fireworks during the New Year's Holiday and Independence Day Holiday.
Summary of Changes:
• Age Restriction: a person 18 years of age or older.
• Discharge Time.
- For the New Year’s Holiday: between Sunset on December 31st to 1:00am on January 1st.
- For the Independence Day Holiday: between Sunset on July 4th to 1:00am on July 5th.
- “Sunset” shall mean the time of sunset as determined by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for League City.
• Authorized Fireworks. Only Fireworks 1.4G will be allowed to be discharged. These types of fireworks are commonly called "consumer or personal use fireworks."
• Discharge Conditions. Each person discharging fireworks must comply with the following conditions:
- No person may discharge fireworks during drought conditions (when there is a burn ban in effect or when the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) exceeds 600)
- There shall be no structure, vehicles, or person within a 25-foot diameter of the discharge location.
- Fireworks must be discharged on a non-combustible surface of sufficient size to contain the entire portion of the ground display.
- The person discharging the fireworks shall be responsible for cleaning and removing all firework debris.
- The person discharging the fireworks shall comply with all Texas Department of Insurance Requirements.
- The person discharging the fireworks shall not be under the influence of an intoxicating substance.
- The person discharging the fireworks shall have an extinguishment device (ex. minimum of 5-gallon bucket of water, minimum of 5lb ABC fire extinguisher, and/or an operational water hose) readily available at the site of firework discharge.
- Discharged fireworks shall be soaked in a bucket of water for twelve hours, prior to disposing of the debris in a trash can.
• Prohibited Locations for Fireworks Discharge. Fireworks shall not be discharged at the following locations:
- Multi-family residential complexes (ex. Apartment complexes).
- Within 600 feet of any church, hospital other than a veterinary hospital, an asylum, a licensed childcare center, or a public or private primary or secondary school or institution of higher education unless person received authorization in writing from that organization and such authorization shall be submitted to the City.
- Within 100 feet of a place where flammable liquids or flammable compressed gases are stored or dispensed.
- Within 100 feet of a place where fireworks are stored or sold.
• Confiscation of fireworks. Any violation of these conditions may result in fines and/or confiscation of fireworks.
Attachments:
1. Proposed Ordinance
FUNDING
{ } Funds are available from Account #________
{ } Requires Budget Amendment to transfer from Account #______ to Account #______
{X} If approved, a general fund revenue account will be created for annual firework permitting fees
STRATEGIC PLANNING
{ } Addresses Strategic Planning Critical Success Factor # ______
{x} NOT APPLICABLE