SNOHOMISH — A majority of City Council members voiced that fireworks use should be banned within city limits, giving burn risks and jarring noise among reasons why during a workshop last week.
The council anticipates returning to the topic in 2025 after finishing off its budget deliberations and comprehensive plan decisions this fall and winter.
As it stands, the council would look to enact a ban before July 4, 2025, which would have a one-year lag time to come into effect citywide in 2026.
Council members Lea Anne Burke, David Flynn, Karen Guzak and Council President Tom Merrill each said plainly they are in favor of a ban. Council members Judith Kuleta and Felix Neals didn’t give a formal verdict and said during the meeting that they are still weighing the issue; council member Maygen Hetherington wasn’t at the workshop either virtually or in-person.
“Living in a city, we have different expectations,” Flynn said, adding “I hate to say it to the advocates ... but we have to respect our neighbors.”
A city ban on fireworks use does not require a vote of the people.
Other options the council has include polling the public through an advisory vote on the ballot, to disallow fireworks discharges when the area is under extreme fire danger, or encouraging the County Council to create an all-county ban.
An extra alternative presented to the council was to continue allowing non-aerial fireworks such as ground spinners, firecrackers and smoke bombs, and only ban those that explode in the air. Council members had mixed feelings about allowing these in the city.
Council members also recognize a ban would be tough for law enforcement to enforce.
When the council last discussed fireworks in 2023, then-Police Chief Rob Palmer said enforcing a fireworks ban is difficult unless police catch someone in the act, and when they do an individual officer may be faced with a large group of people reveling in celebration.
Snohomish only allows fireworks inside city limits during a limited window on July 4 until 10 p.m.
People will still buy fireworks if they’re available outside of town, Merrill said. But if a ban’s in place, the use will fade away, Merrill said.
He referred to bans as a regional trend. In the past 10 years, more cities have added fireworks bans, such as Marysville and Mill Creek. The county banned fireworks use in all of southwest unincorporated county as of 2022, and fireworks sales in those areas become illegal in 2025.
Lake Stevens, Monroe and Sultan allow fireworks, as do some smaller cities except Index and Gold Bar. State law allows fireworks on July 4 until midnight.
Burke suggested the city host a public fireworks show. Everett does this and makes an event out of it.
The city received multiple written comments ahead of the workshop. The Tribune requested copies but had not received them by press time.
A past city advisory vote in 2016 found 54% of voters didn’t want a ban. In 2019, the county held an advisory vote on a countywide ban that found 56% of voters did want a ban.
Last year, the Snohomish City Council decided against doing a new advisory vote on banning fireworks.
