SNOHOMISH — The City Council has plans to discuss the legality of selling and discharging fireworks in the city during the upcoming Aug. 27 meeting.
As the law currently allows, fireworks can be purchased within city limits from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on July 1-4 from a legal vendor and discharged from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on July 4 only.
The Police Department had five complaints about fireworks and assisted the Fire Department with a small grass fire during 2023. In 2024, six complaints were received but no damage reported. Based on data from Snohomish Fire District 4, the last fireworks related call within city limits was in 2021.
Some potential policy options for the City Council to consider include:
• Request a non binding advisory vote
• Adopt an ordinance banning the discharge of fireworks
• Adopt an ordinance allowing the city to prohibit the discharge of fireworks during extreme fire danger
• Adopt an ordinance banning the sale of fireworks within city limits
• Adopt a resolution urging the Snohomish County Council to reconsider a full or expanded ban countywide
In order to reach and educate the community, the Snohomish City Council partnered with the Snohomish Police Department and Snohomish Fire District 4 in 2023 and 2024, as well as coordinated with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office and Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management, releasing a number of social media posts and messaging tactics related to fireworks and fire prevention.
City staff also posted signage at park entrances to remind the public that fireworks are not permitted on park grounds, in addition to closing the boat launch at Pilchuck Julia Landing at dusk on July 4 to prevent firework usage. The Police Department also now does extra patrols around city facilities, school properties and the Park & Ride parking lot to ensure fireworks are not discharged at those locations.
In May 2024, the Snohomish County Council unanimously approved an ordinance banning the sale of fireworks in areas where the discharge of fireworks is prohibited. This law goes into effect in May 2025, so firework sales will no longer be legal in unincorporated Snohomish County and other cities where fireworks are banned.
The Tuesday, Aug. 27 Council meeting will be a workshop. It will begin at 6 p.m. on the first floor of the Carnegie building (105 Cedar Ave.). The meeting is open to the public and also available on Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83598327157 or call in at 253 215-8782 and use Meeting ID # 835 9832 7157)
