Roswell Removes Profanity From Disorderly Conduct Offenses

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Citizens who like to publicly use colorful nouns or adjectives in their everyday conversations can now do so without the threat of receiving a citation.

The Roswell City Council last week approved the second reading of an ordinance amendment that deletes a section that classifies the use of “profane or obscene language in public” as disorderly conduct.

In its resolution declaring the ordinance change, the city notes federal courts have questioned the constitutionality of laws and ordinances that declare the use of profane words to be disorderly.

Council members also approved another change that will allow fireworks to be sold from a permanent retail facility or from temporary structures in commercial mixed use, commercial corridor and commercial heavy zoning districts.

The temporary facility must be set-up within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant or fire department connection and must be licensed by the city. The cost for the license is $500 per location and the license is valid for 90 days.

The approved amendment also allowed fireworks to be used at times otherwise defined in state law by obtaining a special use permit from the city. The permit outlines the time and location that fireworks can be used and must be applied for at least 15 days prior to the actual event.

The cost for the permit will be $100 per event.

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Photo credit: city of Roswell