TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Tom Kisela, City Manager
1. Subject
title
Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance No. 04-25 amending Chapter 8.13.130 Subsection A of the Orange Municipal Code relating to Safe and Sane Fireworks.
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2. Summary
On May 14, 2024, the Orange City Council adopted Resolution No. 11545, placing Measure AA on the November 5, 2024, General Municipal Election ballot, submitting to the voters a question relating to the sale, possession, and use of Safe and Sane Fireworks. Orange voters approved Measure AA, and on January 28, 2025, the Orange City Council adopted Ordinance No. 01-25 establishing the rules and regulations regarding Safe and Sane Fireworks. Ordinance No. 04-25 modifies Orange Municipal Code Section 8.13.130 Subsection A to ensure the physical boundaries prohibiting Safe and Sane Fireworks will not be less restrictive than the State Fire Marshal’s recommended Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map for the Local Responsibility Area for the City of Orange.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
Introduce and conduct First Reading of Ordinance No. 04-25. An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Orange amending Chapter 8.13.130 Subsection A of the Orange Municipal Code relating to the prohibition of Safe and Sane Fireworks in certain areas of the City.
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4. Fiscal Impact
None.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 1: Maintain Strong Emergency and Safety Services.
6. Discussion and Background
On January 28, 2025, the Orange City Council adopted Ordinance No. 01-25 establishing the rules and regulations regarding Safe and Sane fireworks in the City of Orange. Ordinance No. 01-25 codified Orange Municipal Code Section 8.13.130 Subsection A which states that it is unlawful to sell, ignite, discharge, project, or otherwise use Safe and Sane Fireworks in any area located east of Hewes Street and any area east of Cannon Street north of Santiago Canyon Road.
On March 24, 2025, the California Office of the State Fire Marshal issued its 2025 Recommended Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity zone map for the City of Orange (Fire Severity Zone map). The Orange City Fire Department reviewed the map and confirmed they do not recommend any changes.
To ensure the boundaries detailed in Orange Municipal Code Section 8.13.130, Subsection A is not less restrictive than the Fire Severity Zone map, staff recommends the City Council approve the introduction of Ordinance No. 04-25, amending Orange Municipal Code Section 8.13.130, Subsection A to read as follows:
“As further depicted in Exhibit “A”, it shall be unlawful for any person and Permittee to sell, ignite, discharge, project, or otherwise use any Safe and Sane Fireworks, or allow the ignition, discharge, or projection thereof in any area located east of Hewes Street within the City's jurisdictional boundaries, any area west of Cannon Street, north of Santiago Canyon Road, south of Taft Avenue within the City’s jurisdictional boundaries, any area located east of Cannon Street north of Santiago Canyon Road within the City's jurisdictional boundaries, and any area east of Meats Avenue north of the City of Orange-Villa Park city limit boundary within the City’s jurisdictional boundaries.”
Should the City Council approve the introduction of this ordinance, staff will publicize the new map and work with any Safe and Sane Fireworks wholesalers and permittees to ensure they understand and promote the new boundaries.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• Ordinance No. 04-25