Rohnert Park Urgency Ordinance Bans Fireworks In Parking Lots

ROHNERT PARK, CA — The use of fireworks, even the "safe and sane" kind that are sold over the Fourth of July holiday in Rohnert Park, is banned in commercial parking lots in the city under an an urgency ordinance approved by the Rohnert Park City Council.

"The ordinance was passed in an effort to prevent gatherings that will hinder the community from addressing the spread of the COVID-19 virus," the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety said.

Anyone lighting a firework in a commercial parking lot will be subject to a fine of $250 to $700, Rohnert Park DPS Chief Tim Mattos said.

"We are doing everything we can to let all of you who reside outside of the city know not to travel to Rohnert Park if your intent is to light off fireworks in a commercial parking lot," Mattos said.

The ordinance was passed June 2 by a 4-5 Rohnert Park City Council vote.

In a City Council meeting held May 26, Mattos gave a presentation regarding the status of Sonoma County cities that have recently addressed the sale and use of "safe and sane" fireworks that are approved by the state fire marshal. Mattos advised City Council that the city of Petaluma has banned the sale and use of fireworks, the city of Sebastopol will not permit the sale of fireworks, and Sonoma County cities have cancelled community fireworks shows.

Due to the changing landscape of fireworks tolerance within Sonoma County, Mattos spoke about a growing concern regarding the increased number of people who will travel to Rohnert Park due to existing and new fireworks bans within the cities of Sonoma County. This will result in large gatherings throughout commercial and private parking lots within the city that will conflict with the Sonoma County Health Order requiring social distancing to prevent person-to-person spread of the novel coronavirus, Mattos said.

During the May 26 meeting, 19 people provided written public comments; 17 people opposed banning the sale and use of "safe and sane" fireworks. A large number of the comments were from representatives of nonprofit organizations who spoke of the positive impact their fireworks sales booth has on their organization.

Two public comments supported a ban on the sale and use of "safe and sane" fireworks.

Mattos provided the following options to the City Council:

• Ban the sale and use of "safe and sane" fireworks;
• Ban the sale and use of "safe and sane" fireworks during the 2020 Fourth of July; or
• Amend the city's municipal code adding restrictions on the use of "safe and sane" fireworks in commercial parking lots and add language allowing additional permitting requirements pertaining to fireworks booths.

Councilmembers directed city staff to return with an amendment that restricts the use of "safe and sane," state-approved fireworks in commercial parking lots and places more requirements on fireworks vendors.

Here is urgency ordinance No. 948, adopted June 2 by Rohnert Park City Council:

Rohnert Park DPS will be out in force this year to enforce the city's laws against fireworks, the chief said.

Rohnert Park DPS says the use of fireworks within the city can be reported via the smartphone app Nail 'Em, which is available on both Apple and Android platforms; or by calling 707-584-2600.