Beaumont Municipal Code Ch. 9.41 Fireworks

As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the following meaning as used herein:

A. "Dangerous fireworks" has the same meaning ascribed to it under Section 12505 of the California Health and Safety Code and includes all of the following:

(1) Any fireworks which contain any of the following:

(a) Arsenic sulfide, arsenates, or arsenites;

(b) Boron;

(c) Chlorates, except:

(i) In colored smoke mixture in which an equal or greater amount of sodium bicarbonate is included;

(ii) In caps and party poppers;

(iii) In those small items (such as ground spinners) wherein the total powder content does not exceed four grams of which not greater than 15 percent (or 600 milligrams) is potassium, sodium, or barium chlorate,

(d) Gallates or gallic acid;

(e) Magnesium (magnesium-aluminum alloys, called magnalium, are permitted);

(f) Mercury salts;

(g) Phosphorus (red or white except that red phosphorus is permissible in caps and party poppers);

(h) Picrates or picric acid;

(i) Thiocyanates,

(j) Titanium, except in particle size greater than 100-mesh,

(k) Zirconium;

(2) Firecrackers;

(3) Skyrockets and rockets, including all devices which employ any combustible or explosive material and which rise in the air during discharge;

(4) Roman candles, including all devices which discharge balls of fire into the air;

(5) Chasers, including all devices which dart or travel about the surface of the ground during discharge;

(6) Sparklers more than ten inches in length or one-fourth of one inch in diameter;

(7) All fireworks designed and intended by the manufacturer to create the element of surprise upon the user. These items include, but are not limited to, auto-foolers, cigarette loads, exploding golf balls, and trick matches;

(8) Fireworks known as devil-on-the-walk, or any other firework which explodes through means of friction, unless otherwise classified by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to this chapter;

(9) Torpedoes of all kinds which explode on impact;

(10) Fireworks kits;

(11) Such other fireworks examined and tested by the State Fire Marshal and determined by the State Fire Marshal, with the advice of the State Board of Fire Services, to possess characteristics of design or construction which make such fireworks unsafe for use by any person not specially qualified or trained in the use of fireworks.

B. "Exempt fireworks" has the same meaning ascribed to it under Section 12508 of the California Health and Safety Code and means any special item containing pyrotechnic compositions which the State Fire Marshall, with the advice of the State Fire Advisory Board, has investigated and determined to be limited to industrial, commercial, agricultural use, or religious ceremonies when authorized by a permit granted by the authority having jurisdiction.

C. "Fire Marshall" means the Riverside County Fire Marshall or his or her authorized representatives.

D. "Fireworks" has the same meaning ascribed to it under Section 12511 of the California Health and Safety Code and means any device containing chemical elements and chemical compounds capable of burning independently of the oxygen of the atmosphere and producing audible, visual, mechanical, or thermal effects which are useful as pyrotechnic devices or for entertainment. The term "fireworks" includes, but is not limited to, devices designated by the manufacturer as fireworks, torpedoes, skyrockets, roman candles, model rockets, rockets, Daygo bombs, sparklers, chasers, fountains, smoke sparks, aerial bombs and fireworks kits.

E. "Fireworks kits" has the same meaning ascribed to it under Section 12512 of the California Health and Safety Code and means any assembly of materials or explosive substances, which is designed and intended by the seller to be assembled by the person receiving such material or explosive substance and when so assembled would come within the definition of "fireworks."

F. "Police Chief" means the Chief of Police of the City of Beaumont or his or her authorized representatives.

G. "Public display of fireworks" means an entertainment feature where the public or a private group is admitted or permitted to view the display or discharge of dangerous fireworks.

H. "Pyrotechnic operator" means any licensed pyrotechnic operator who, by examination, experience, and training, has demonstrated the required skill and ability in the use and discharge of fireworks as authorized by the license granted.

I. "Pyrotechnic special effects material" means a low explosive material, other than detonating cord, commonly used in motion picture, television, theatrical or group entertainment production for which a permit from the chief is required for use or storage.

J. "Safe and sane fireworks" has the same meaning ascribed to it under Section 12529 of the California Health and Safety Code and means any fireworks which do not come within the definition of "dangerous fireworks" or "exempt fireworks."

(Ord. No. 1101, § 3(Exh. A), 6-19-2018)

A. General. No person shall have in his or her possession, or keep, store, use, shoot, discharge, set off, ignite, explode, manufacture, sell, offer to sell, give or transport any fireworks, dangerous fireworks, or safe and sane fireworks, except for use as agricultural and wildlife fireworks or for use in a public display of fireworks pursuant to a permit obtained under the provisions of Sections 12640—12654 of the California Health and Safety Code and this chapter.

B. Manufacturing Prohibited. The manufacturing of fireworks, dangerous fireworks, or safe and sane fireworks is prohibited except under special permits as required by local and state regulations by the Fire Marshall and the Police Chief.

C. Pyrotechnic Special Effects Material. A permit is required to manufacture, compound, store or use pyrotechnic special effects material. Permit application shall be made to the Fire Marshall and the Police Chief. A permit shall be granted only to a State Fire Marshall licensed pyrotechnic operator.

(Ord. No. 1101, § 3(Exh. A), 6-19-2018)

A. General. Permits are required to conduct a public display of fireworks. Permit application shall be made to the Fire Marshall and the Police Chief not fewer than 14 days prior to the scheduled date of the display. The permit application shall include a diagram of the grounds on which the display is to be held showing the point at which the fireworks are to be discharged; the location of buildings, highways and other lines of communication; the lines behind which the audience will be restrained; and the location of nearby trees, telegraph or telephone lines and other overhead obstructions. At the time of permit application, the Fire Marshall shall be consulted regarding the requirements for standby fire apparatus.

B. Supervision. Public display of fireworks operations shall be under the direct supervision of a pyrotechnic operator. The pyrotechnic operator shall be responsible for all aspects of a display related to pyrotechnics.

C. Bond Required. The permittee shall furnish a bond or certificate of insurance in an amount deemed adequate by the Fire Marshall and the Police Chief for the payment of damages which could be caused either to a person or persons or to property by reason of the permitted display and arising from acts of the permittee, agents, employees or subcontractors.

(Ord. No. 1101, § 3(Exh. A), 6-19-2018)

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit the use of fireworks by railroads or other transportation agencies for signal purposes or illumination, or the sale or use of blank cartridges for a show or theater, or for signal or ceremonial purposes in athletics or sports or for use by military organizations.

(Ord. No. 1101, § 3(Exh. A), 6-19-2018)

A. The Fire Marshall and his or her authorized representatives and the Police Chief and his or her authorized representatives are authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

B. The Fire Marshall and his or her authorized representatives and the Police Chief and his or her authorized representatives shall have the authority to seize, take, and remove any fireworks, dangerous fireworks, and safe and sane fireworks. The Fire Marshall and his or her authorized representative and the Police Chief and his or her authorized representative may charge any person whose fireworks are seized pursuant to this section, a reasonable amount which is sufficient to cover the cost of transporting, storing, handling, and disposing of the seized fireworks.

C. Any person who violates any provision of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be punished as set forth in chapter 1.16 of the Beaumont Municipal Code.

D. Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be subject to the enforcement remedies of chapters 1.16 (General Penalty) and 1.17 (Administrative Code Enforcement) of the Beaumont Municipal Code.

E. Nothing in this chapter shall be intended to limit any of the penalties provided for under the California Health and Safety Code or Penal Code with regard to the sale, use, possession, delivery, or transportation of dangerous fireworks or all of these, nor any other civil or criminal remedies available to the City, Fire Marshall and his or her authorized representatives, or the Police Chief and his or her authorized representatives.

(Ord. No. 1101, § 3(Exh. A), 6-19-2018)