ELK GROVE, Calif. — Elk Grove city councilmembers voted Wednesday to increase the fireworks citation fine to $1,000 per violation, plus a misdemeanor.
The ordinance update will go into effect in time for this year's 4th of July celebrations.
Under the new enforcement plan, if a person is observed using aerial fireworks and is found in possession of two or more aerial fireworks, they can be fined up to $3,000.
Each single dangerous firework will be considered a separate violation, Elk Grove senior code enforcement officer Ryan Huber said.
"Use of dangerous fireworks continues to be a fire hazard to property and a danger to the life and safety of our residents," he said. "With the intent of deterring use of dangerous fireworks, staff recommends Council adopt the code amendment."
Since 2019, fines were only $100 for the first fireworks violation, $200 for a second violation and $500 for a third violation.
Elk Grove planning commissioner Juan Fernandez said he is supportive of the new fine increases as a former pyrotechnics operator.
He said he was among the first crews to do public events fireworks displays in Lake Tahoe where they mitigated the fallout from the fireworks.
"There's an element of cardboard that falls from the lift charge of a firework," Fernandez said. "Those often contain heavy metals, magnesium — all the pretty colors you see in the sky. I applaud the intent to try to limit those hazardous materials."
When talking about noise from fireworks, he suggested code enforcement should use technology to measure decibels and sound origins to better crack down on fireworks.
Sacramento County leaders recently passed their own ordinance shortening the window for fireworks sales and widening the scope of fines.
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