HomeMy WebLinkAboutDISCUSSION HN Fireworks Ban JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CONSENT AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
Josh Peters, County Administrator
FROM: Jeremy Williammee, DCD Director
DATE: May 26, 2026
RE: Board Approval to Notice a Public Hearing to Deliberate and Adopt by Ordinance
Amendments to JCC 8.75 to Ban Fireworks in Jefferson County
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
The Department of Community Development(DCD)/Office of the Fire Marshal requests Board
of County Commissioners(BoCC)approval to notice a hearing to receive public comment and
act regarding a new ordinance regarding fireworks regulations in Jefferson County.
ANALYSIS:
As instructed by the BoCC during an April 20, 2026 workshop, DCD and the Fire Marshal have
coordinated with the Sheriff and Prosecuting Attorney's Office (PAO)to draft amendments to
Jefferson County Code (JCC) 8.75. The draft ordinance will ban fireworks in unincorporated
Jefferson and update the fine structure for fireworks-related violations. The ordinance continues
to provide a pathway for licensed public display subject to federal and state law and local special
event review requirements.
The Jefferson County Fire Chiefs Association has been provided with opportunities to comment
and support the drafting of these regulation revisions.
The PAO has provided ongoing guidance and has confirmed compliance with state requirements
and best practices for this ordinance.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are no direct fiscal impacts associated with this ordinance.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommend that the Board hold the requested hearing and take appropriate action.
REVIEWED BY:
0-621 /1/3
5-4°/9'4)-
Jo0D. Peters, County Administrator Date
Please publish 2 times: June 3 and 8, 2026
Contact Person: Chelsea Pronovost
Bill to: Department of Community Development
621 Sheridan St
Port Townsend, WA 98368
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Public hearing for a new ordinance banning fireworks in Jefferson County.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing is scheduled by the Jefferson County Board of
Commissioners for MONDAY, June 15, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. in the Commissioners' Chambers,
County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368 (HYBRID). Notice of said
hearing is to be published in the official newspaper of Jefferson County.
This hearing consists of changes to Jefferson County Code Chapter 8.75 regarding Fireworks
regulations in the County.
A portion of the draft ordinance consists of the authority to set a burn restriction level and seasonal
burn restriction effective dates outside of the set annual restriction season period.
The information is available for viewing on the County website by visiting: www.cojefferson.wa.us
and follow this pathway—Services—Laserfiche Web Portal(username and password is: public)-Board of
Commissioners—BOCC Agenda Packets—2026 Weekly Agenda Items— 15 JUNE 2026—061526—Hearing
re Fireworks Ban
You are welcome to participate in this hearing. You will need to join the meeting by 3:00 p.m. using
the following methods: VIRTUALLY: Via the following Zoom, link:
https://zoom.us/j/93777841705, PHONE: Dial 1-253-215-8782 and enter access code: 937-7784-
1705# and press *9 to "raise your hand"to be called upon. Access for the hearing impaired can be
accommodated using Washington Relay Service at 1-800-833-6384, or IN-PERSON
In addition, written testimony is also invited beginning on May 26, 2026 and ending on June 15,2026 at
the end of the Public Hearing, unless extended by the Board of County Commissioners. Written public
testimony may be submitted by Email to:jeffbocc@cojefferson.wa.us You may view documents and
testimony received by visiting: www.co.jefferson.wa.us and following this pathway—Services—
Laserfiche Web Portal (username and password is public)—Board of Commissioners—BOCC
Agenda Packets—2026 Weekly Agenda Items— 15 June 2026—061526
You can also Mail your testimony to: Jefferson County Commissioners' Office; P.O. Box 1220, Port
Townsend, WA 98368. Written testimony must be received by the Board of County Commissioners by
the end of the hearing testimony period.
Signed this 26 day of May 2026.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
/S/Greg Brotherton, Chair
STATE OF WASHINGTON
County of Jefferson
An Ordinance Amending Chapter 8.75
(Fireworks and Sky Lanterns)of the Jefferson ORDINANCE NO.
County Code
WHEREAS, Article XI, section 11 of the Washington Constitution, confers upon county
legislative authorities the police power to adopt such local police, sanitary and other regulations
as are not in conflict with general laws; and,
WHEREAS, Article XI, section 11 of the Washington Constitution is a direct delegation
of the police power to cities and counties, and the power delegated is as extensive within their
sphere as that possessed by the legislature; and,
WHEREAS,RCW 36.32.120(7)provides that the county legislative authorities shall make
and enforce, by appropriate resolutions or ordinances, all such police and sanitary regulations as
are not in conflict with state law; and,
WHEREAS, police power is that inherent and plenary power which enables prohibition
of all things hurtful to the comfort, safety and welfare of society;and,
WHEREAS, the scope of police power is broad, encompassing all those measures which
bear a reasonable and substantial relation to promotion of the general welfare of the people;and,
WHEREAS, RCW 36.32.120(10) provides that county legislative bodies have the power
to declare by ordinance what shall be deemed a nuisance within the county; to abate a nuisance at
the expense of the parties creating, causing, or committing the nuisance; and to levy a special
assessment on the land or premises on which the nuisance is situated to defray the cost, or to
reimburse the county for the cost of abating it; and,
WHERAS, RCW 70.77.250(4) provides that a county may adopt fireworks regulations
that are more restrictive than state law, provided the local regulations must have an effective date
no sooner than one year after their adoption; and,
WHEREAS, the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners (Board) has held a
hearing and has received public comment on the draft ordinance proposed by staff; and,
WHEREAS, the Board amended chapter 8.75 JCC on March 24, 2022, when it adopted
Ordinance No. 3-0314-22; and,
WHEREAS, increasing wildfire risk associated with changing climate patterns and
shifting atmospheric conditions has resulted in longer periods of drought, elevated temperatures,
and heightened fire danger, thereby necessitating more responsive and precautionary local
regulation of fireworks to protect public health, safety, and property; and,
WHEREAS, the Board recognizes the danger to public health, safety, and the
environment; that noise created by fireworks is disruptive to many people and animals; and
discourages their unsafe use; and,
WHEREAS, in response to the public comment and testimony, additional improvements
to the draft ordinance have been made, and,
NOW, THEREFORE,be it ordained by the Board as follows:
Section 1. Amending Chapter 8.75 JCC. The Board amends chapter 8.75 JCC as shown in
Appendix A. A clean version of the amended chapter 8.75 JCC is in Appendix B.
Section 2. Findings. The Board adopts the above recitals (the "WHEREAS" statements) as its
findings of fact in support of this ordinance.
Section 3. Severability. The provisions of this ordinance are declared separate and severable. If
any provision of this ordinance or its application to any person or circumstances is held invalid,
then the remainder of this ordinance or application of its provisions to other persons or
circumstances shall remain valid and unaffected.
Section 4. SEPA Compliance. This ordinance is categorically exempt from the State
Environmental Policy Act under WAC 197-11-800(19).
Section 5. Effective Date. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect one year after the date
of adoption.
(SIGNATURES FOLLOW ON NEXT PAGES)
ADOPTED this day of 2026, at_•• —• a.m.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Greg Brotherton, Chair
Heidi Eisenhour, Member
ATTEST:
Heather Dudley-Nollette, Member
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Carolyn Gallaway, Date Philip C. Hunsucker, Date
Clerk of the Board Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
RED LINE VERSION
APPENDIX A—REPLACEMENT FOR CHAPTER 8.75 JCC
Title 8 - HEALTH AND SAFETY
Chapter 8.75 — FIREWORKS AND SKY LANTERNS BANNEDPROHIBITED
Sections:
8.75.010 Purpose and Construction.
(1) This chapter supplements Chapter 70.77 RCW, and shall be construed in connection with that
law and any regulations or rules issued pursuant that law.
(2) It is expressly the purpose of this chapter to provide for and promote the health, safety and
welfare of the general public, and not to create or otherwise establish or designate any particular
class or group of persons who will or should be specially protected or benefited by the terms of
this chapter.
(3) This chapter shall be liberally construed to carry out its broad purposes, allowing the local fire
official to determine permissible consumer fireworks within their region of responsibility within
Jefferson County.
(4) Reference to the Revised Code of Washington(RCW) in this chapter is to the provision of the
RCW as currently adopted or as may be amended in the future.
8.75.020 Definitions.
In construing provisions of this chapter, except where otherwise plainly declared or clearly
apparent from the context, words used in this chapter shall be given their common and ordinary
meaning and in addition,the following definitions shall apply:
(1) "Agricultural and wildlife fireworks"has the same meaning as in RCW 70.77.141.
(2) "Consumer fireworks"has the same meaning as in RCW 70.77.136.
(3) "County fire marshal" means the person designated by the Board of County Commissioners
pursuant to RCW 43.44.050(1)(b) with the police power to investigate the origin, cause,
circumstances, and extent of loss of all fires within unincorporated areas of Jefferson County.
(3) "Declaration of high fire hazard" means a declaration by the county fire marshal or their
designee, or a local fire official or their designee, that a high fire hazard exists within their region
of responsibility.
(4) "Display fireworks"as in RCW 70.77.131.
(5) "Fire hazard" means the accumulation of combustible materials in such a condition as to be
readily ignited and in such a quantity as to create a hazard from fire to nearby structures, forest
areas, life and property.
RED LINE VERS►pN
(6)"Fireworks"has the same meaning as in RCW 70.77.126.
(7) "Fireworks waste"means any waste remaining after the discharge, manufacture, sale, storage,
or transportation of fireworks, including,but not limited to, ashes, garbage, and rubbish.
(8) "High fire hazard" means a period of hot, dry weather accompanied by low fuel moistures,
where fires start quickly, spread furiously, and burn intensely and are difficult to control unless
they are successfully attacked when the fires are small. It is during this period that wildland fires
can be expected, and fire growth will be accelerated.
(9) "Local fire official" means a fire chief of a fire district wholly or partially within Jefferson
County or their designee.
(10) "Public display of fireworks"has the same meaning as in RCW 70.77.160.
(11)"Region of responsibility"means the fire district wholly or partially within Jefferson County
for a local fire official, or the county as a whole for the county fire marshal.
(12) "Sky lantern"has the same meaning as in RCW 76.04.005(19).
(13) "Special effects"has the same meaning as in RCW 70.77.136.
(14) "Vehicle" means every device capable of being moved upon a highway and in, upon, or by
which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway. "Vehicle" shall
include but shall not be limited to automobiles,motorcycles,trucks,buses, motorized recreational
vehicles, campers, travel trailers, and boat trailers. "Vehicle" does not include devices moved by
human or animal power, or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
(15)"Vessel"means every species of watercraft or other mobile artificial contrivance,powered or
unpowered, intended to be used for transporting people or goods on water or for floating marine
construction or repair and which does not exceed two hundred feet in length.
(16) "Wildland fire" means any non-structure fire that occurs in vegetation or natural fuels and
includes fires originating from an unplanned ignition and unauthorized and accidental human
caused fires.
8.75.030 Sky lanterns prohibited.
It is unlawful for any person to ignite, light or launch any sky lantern within unincorporated
Jefferson County.
8.75.035 Publication of Declaration of High Fire Hazard.
The county fire marshal and each local fire official shall publish the declaration of high fire hazard
on their website. in local media outlets for public review.
RED LINE VERSION
8.75.040 - Prohibited acts—Exceptions.
(1) Limits on Dates and Times Consumer Fireworks May Be Sold or Discharged. The county
adopts the dates and times consumer fireworks may be sold or discharged under RCW 70.77.395.
,
discharge of consumer fireworks is below:
Sal„ofConsum r Fireworks idea in R W 7n 77 2>>
Date From To
June 28 each year Neon 11:00 p.m.
June 29 each year 9:00 a.m. 11:00 p.m.
Jule I each year 9:00 a.m. 11:00 p.m.
July ,ach year 9:00 a.m. 11:00 p.m.
lulu ,:ach year 9:00 a.m. 11:00 p.m.
July 4 each year 9:00 a.m. 11:00 p.m.
December 27 each year Noon 11:00 p.m.
December 28 each year Nee* 11:00 p.m.
December 29 each year Nee* 11:00 p.m.
December 30 each year Neen 11:00 p.m.
December 31 each year Neen 11:00 p.m.
Dote From To
June 28 each year Neon 11:00 p.m.
June 29 each year 9:00 a.m. 11:00 p.m.
July 1 each year 9:00 a.m. 11:00 p.m.
July 2 each year 9:00 a.m. 11:00 p.m.
July 3 each year 9:00 a.m. 11:00 p.m.
July 4 each year 00 a.m. Mt,
{- cember 31 each year Nero
January I each year M 1:00 p.m.
The above chart shall be updated to be consistent with the requirements of RCW 70.77.395. if
that section is amended.
(12) Discharge, Manufacture, Possession, Sale, , , Storage,
Transportation, or Use of Fireworks Is Prohibited During ^ Declaration of High Fire H za,.a
Except as permitted in this chapter, the discharge, manufacture, possession, sale, storage, or
transportation of fireworks is prohibited during a aeclaratio,, of high fire hazard declared in a
region of responsibility in unincorporated Jefferson County; provided, however, that this
restriction shall not apply:
(a) To the storage or transportation of consumer fireworks;
(ha) To the use by railroads or other transportation agencies for signal or illumination purposes;
(e )To the use of agricultural and wildlife fireworks;
(dc) To the use of devices for vegetation management or wildfire firefighting tactics;
RED LINE VERSION
(ed) To the use of flares or fuses in connection with the operation of vehicles or vessels for signal
purposes, or use by others for emergency signal purposes, or illumination of for use in forest
protection activities, or for those other uses described in RCW 70.77.311.
(t) To the use of special effects when used as an integral part of a theatrical production;
(ge) To the transportation of fireworks through the county as part of interstate commerce; or,
(hf)To the public display of display fireworks by persons with the appropriate state licenses.
8.75.045 Fa°�e-to Cleanup Fireworks Waste Required.
Failure to clean up fireworks waste After any discharge of fireworks, cleanup of any fireworks
waste is requiredis „rohibited u nf'er this chapter
8.75.050—Public Display of Fireworks in the County.
(1) Public display of fireworks in unincorporated Jefferson County is prohibited, unless an
application has been approved for any permit required under JCC 8.20.030 (entertainment,
amusement or assemblies permit), JCC 18.20.380 (temporary outdoor use permit) or JCC
18.20.390 (temporary festival conditional use), after a consultation with local fire officials
consistent with RCW 77 0.� 6070.77.260 prior to approval on an application form approved by
the fire marshal.
(2) A public display of fireworks shall be of such character, and so located, discharged or fired in
a manner that is not hazardous to property or injurious to any person, as determined by either the
fire marshal or a local fire official.
(3) Every operator of a public display of fireworks shall first obtain a state license pursuant to
RCW 70.77.355.
8.75.060—Seizure of Fireworks
Pursuant to RCW 70.77.435, any fireworks which are illegally sold, offered for sale, used,
discharged, possessed, or transported in violation of the provisions of this chapter or the rules or
regulations of the chief of the Washington state patrol,through the director of fire protection, are
subject to seizure by the chief of the Washington state patrol, through the director of fire
protection, or his or her deputy, or by state agencies or local governments having general law
enforcement authority.
8.75.070 - Violations and penalties.
Pursuant to RCW 36.32.120(7), this chapter declares certain acts to be civil violations and
establishes civil enforcement procedures and penalties, and also declares certain acts to be
misdemeanors.
(1) Misdemeanor. Any person, firm, corporation or association violating or failing to comply
with any of the provisions of this chapter during a period of high tire danger shall be deemed guilty
RED LINE VERSION
of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine in a sum not exceeding
one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) dollars or by imprisonment in the jail for a period not to exceed
ninety (90) days or by both such fine and jail.
(2) Civil Infraction.
(a) Any person who violates any provision of this chapter may be issued a notice of infraction.
The penalty for an infraction issued to a person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be
one-two hundred and fifty dollars ($250) dollars for first offense; five hundred ($500) for second
offense;and one thousand cl‘ail, '-1 no, i
($2,000.00)for any subsequent violation of this chapter. For each violation of a continuing nature,
each day shall constitute a separate infraction, subject to a daily penalty.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any property owner or their—designeeany other person who has
control of all or a portion of a property(licensees,holders of easements,etc.)to allow the discharge
of fireworks e€on anv kind on their property. Any volition of this
subsection io ates the evisions ofthis chapter may be issued a notice of infraction.
(b)(cLA notice of infraction represents a determination that a violation has been committed. The
determination will be final unless contested as provided in this chapter.
(e (d) The Infraction Rules for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction(IRLJ)as they exist now or may be
amended in the future, apply to the processing and adjudication of civil infractions under this
chapter.
8.75.080—Enforcement
(1) Particularly with the discharge of consumer fireworks in violation of this chapter, public
awareness and voluntary compliance efforts should be used prior to enforcement under this
chapter.
(2) The county sheriff or their designee has the discretion to enforce this chapter. This chapter
does not create a duty on the part of the county,the county sheriff,the county fire marshal,or local
fire officials to enforce violations of this chapter. Decisions about whether and how to enforce
this chapter shall be made in conjunction with the county prosecuting attorney or their designee.
(3) The county sheriff or their designee may consult with the county fire marshal or a local fire
official in enforcement of this chapter. The county sheriff or their designee are authorized to:
(a) Issue citations to or arrest without warrant persons violating the provisions of this chapter;
(b) Serve and execute all warrants, citations and other process issued by the courts;
(c) Send by certified mail any warrant, citation or other process to the last known place of
residence of the person alleged to have violated of this chapter,which shall be deemed as personal
service upon the person alleged to have violated this chapter.
RED LINE VERSION
(4) This chapter as well as permits or decisions issued under it may be enforced through the
provisions of Title 19 JCC, Code Compliance. The county sheriff is the "director" for purposes
of JCC 19.10.015(19). The county sheriff shall coordinate with the code compliance coordinator
on decisions to enforce this chapter under Title 19 JCC.
(5)Enforcement through this chapter is not exclusive and additional enforcement mechanisms may
exist, which may include filing civil actions in courts of competent jurisdiction under other
applicable laws.
(6)The county prosecuting attorney may at any time bring such additional injunctive,declaratory,
criminal, or other actions as are necessary to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
(7)Nothing in this title shall be interpreted to mean that civil and criminal remedies for the same
violations may not be brought simultaneously.
8.75.090 - Severability.
If any provision of this chapter is declared unconstitutional or the applicability thereof to any
person or circumstance is held invalid, the constitutionality of the remainder of the ordinance
codified in this chapter and the applicability thereof to other persons and circumstance shall not be
affected thereby.
8.75.100 - Effective date.
That the ordinance codified in this chapter and the rules, regulations, provisions, requirements,
orders and matters established and adopted pursuant to the ordinance codified in this chapter shall
take effect and be in full force and effect one year after the date of adoption.
8.75.110 Disclaimer of liability.
Nothing contained in this chapter is intended to be nor shall be construed to create or form the
basis for any liability on the part of the county, its officers, employees or agents, or any local fire
official, for any injury or damage resulting from the failure of anyone to comply with the
provisions of this chapter, or by reason or in consequence of the implementation or enforcement
pursuant to this chapter, or by reason of any action or inaction on the part of the county related in
any manner to the enforcement of this chapter by its officers, employees or agents.
ANNEX B—SUPPLEMENTAL CODE CHANGES
8.72.010 Purpose and construction.
(4) This chapter shall be liberally construed to carry out its broad purposes_, allowing the loc"l
8.72.040 Fire danger risk level burn restrictions.
RED LINE VERSION
(5) Fire Danger Risk Levels.
(c) Stage 3 High Fire Hazard.
(i) Use of charcoal briquettes is prohibited, except for commercially made listed
and labeled barbeque devices located and used at a residence.
(ii) Target shooting outside of gun ranges, and use of exploding targets or
incendiary ammunition is prohibited. Hunting is allowed in open areas.
Chapter 8.75 JCC.
APPENDIX B—REPLACEMENT FOR CHAPTER 8.75 JCC (CLEAN)
Title 8-HEALTH AND SAFETY
Chapter 8.75—FIREWORKS AND SKY LANTERNS PROHIBITED
Sections:
8.75.010 Purpose and Construction.
(1) This chapter supplements Chapter 70.77 RCW, and shall be construed in connection with that
law and any regulations or rules issued pursuant that law.
(2) It is expressly the purpose of this chapter to provide for and promote the health, safety and
welfare of the general public, and not to create or otherwise establish or designate any particular
class or group of persons who will or should be specially protected or benefited by the terms of
this chapter.
(3) This chapter shall be liberally construed to carry out its broad purposes, allowing the local fire
official to determine permissible consumer fireworks within their region of responsibility within
Jefferson County.
(4) Reference to the Revised Code of Washington(RCW) in this chapter is to the provision of the
RCW as currently adopted or as may be amended in the future.
8.75.020 Definitions.
In construing provisions of this chapter, except where otherwise plainly declared or clearly
apparent from the context, words used in this chapter shall be given their common and ordinary
meaning and in addition,the following definitions shall apply:
(1)"Agricultural and wildlife fireworks"has the same meaning as in RCW 70.77.141.
(2)"Consumer fireworks"has the same meaning as in RCW 70.77.136.
(3) "County fire marshal" means the person designated by the Board of County Commissioners
pursuant to RCW 43.44.050(1)(b) with the police power to investigate the origin, cause,
circumstances, and extent of loss of all fires within unincorporated areas of Jefferson County.
(3) "Declaration of high fire hazard" means a declaration by the county fire marshal or their
designee, or a local fire official or their designee, that a high fire hazard exists within their region
of responsibility.
(4) "Display fireworks" as in RCW 70.77.131.
(5) "Fire hazard" means the accumulation of combustible materials in such a condition as to be
readily ignited and in such a quantity as to create a hazard from fire to nearby structures, forest
areas, life and property.
(6) "Fireworks"has the same meaning as in RCW 70.77.126.
(7) "Fireworks waste"means any waste remaining after the discharge, manufacture, sale, storage,
or transportation of fireworks, including, but not limited to, ashes, garbage, and rubbish.
(8) "High fire hazard" means a period of hot, dry weather accompanied by low fuel moistures,
where fires start quickly, spread furiously, and burn intensely and are difficult to control unless
they are successfully attacked when the fires are small. It is during this period that wildland fires
can be expected, and fire growth will be accelerated.
(9) "Local fire official" means a fire chief of a fire district wholly or partially within Jefferson
County or their designee.
(10) "Public display of fireworks"has the same meaning as in RCW 70.77.160.
(11) "Region of responsibility"means the fire district wholly or partially within Jefferson County
for a local fire official, or the county as a whole for the county fire marshal.
(12) "Sky lantern"has the same meaning as in RCW 76.04.005(19).
(13) "Special effects"has the same meaning as in RCW 70.77.136.
(14) "Vehicle" means every device capable of being moved upon a highway and in, upon, or by
which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway. "Vehicle" shall
include but shall not be limited to automobiles,motorcycles,trucks,buses, motorized recreational
vehicles, campers, travel trailers, and boat trailers. "Vehicle" does not include devices moved by
human or animal power, or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
(15)"Vessel"means every species of watercraft or other mobile artificial contrivance,powered or
unpowered, intended to be used for transporting people or goods on water or for floating marine
construction or repair and which does not exceed two hundred feet in length.
(16) "Wildland fire" means any non-structure fire that occurs in vegetation or natural fuels and
includes fires originating from an unplanned ignition and unauthorized and accidental human
caused fires.
8.75.030 Sky lanterns prohibited.
It is unlawful for any person to ignite, light or launch any sky lantern within unincorporated
Jefferson County.
8.75.035 Publication of Declaration of High Fire Hazard.
The county fire marshal and each local fire official shall publish the declaration of high fire hazard
on their website.
8.75.040 - Prohibited acts—Exceptions.
(1) Discharge, Manufacture, Possession, Sale, Storage, Transportation, or Use of Fireworks Is
Prohibited. Except as permitted in this chapter, the discharge, manufacture, possession, sale,
storage,or transportation of fireworks is prohibited in unincorporated Jefferson County;provided,
however,that this restriction shall not apply:
(a) To the use by railroads or other transportation agencies for signal or illumination purposes;
(b) To the use of agricultural and wildlife fireworks;
(c) To the use of devices for vegetation management or wildfire firefighting tactics;
(d) To the use of flares or fuses in connection with the operation of vehicles or vessels for signal
purposes, or use by others for emergency signal purposes, or illumination of for use in forest
protection activities, or for those other uses described in RCW 70.77.311.
(e) To the transportation of fireworks through the county as part of interstate commerce; or,
(f)To the public display of display fireworks by persons with the appropriate state licenses.
8.75.045 Cleanup of Fireworks Waste Required.
. After any discharge of fireworks, cleanup of any fireworks waste is required.
8.75.050—Public Display of Fireworks in the County.
(1) Public display of fireworks in unincorporated Jefferson County is prohibited, unless an
application has been approved for any permit required under JCC 8.20.030 (entertainment,
amusement or assemblies permit), JCC 18.20.380 (temporary outdoor use permit) or JCC
18.20.390 (temporary festival conditional use), after a consultation with local fire officials
consistent with RCW 70.77.260 prior to approval on an application form approved by the fire
marshal.
(2) A public display of fireworks shall be of such character, and so located, discharged or fired in
a manner that is not hazardous to property or injurious to any person, as determined by either the
fire marshal or a local fire official.
(3) Every operator of a public display of fireworks shall first obtain a state license pursuant to
RCW 70.77.355.
8.75.060—Seizure of Fireworks
Pursuant to RCW 70.77.435, any fireworks which are illegally sold, offered for sale, used,
discharged, possessed, or transported in violation of the provisions of this chapter or the rules or
regulations of the chief of the Washington state patrol,through the director of fire protection, are
subject to seizure by the chief of the Washington state patrol, through the director of fire
protection, or his or her deputy, or by state agencies or local governments having general law
enforcement authority.
8.75.070-Violations and penalties.
Pursuant to RCW 36.32.120(7), this chapter declares certain acts to be civil violations and
establishes civil enforcement procedures and penalties, and also declares certain acts to be
misdemeanors.
(1) Misdemeanor. Any person, firm, corporation or association violating or failing to comply
with any of the provisions of this chapter during a period of high fire danger shall be deemed guilty
of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine in a sum not exceeding
one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) dollars or by imprisonment in the jail for a period not to exceed
ninety (90)days or by both such fine and jail.
(2) Civil Infraction.
(a) Any person who violates any provision of this chapter may be issued a notice of infraction.
The penalty for an infraction issued to a person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be
two hundred and fifty dollars ($250) dollars for first offense; five hundred ($500) for second
offense; and one thousand dollars($1,000) for any subsequent violation of this chapter. For each
violation of a continuing nature, each day shall constitute a separate infraction, subject to a daily
penalty.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any property owner or any other person who has control of all or a
portion of a property(licensees, holders of easements,etc.)to allow the discharge of fireworks on
any property. any volition of this subsection may be issued a notice of infraction.
(c) A notice of infraction represents a determination that a violation has been committed. The
determination will be final unless contested as provided in this chapter.
(d) The Infraction Rules for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction(IRLJ)as they exist now or may be
amended in the future, apply to the processing and adjudication of civil infractions under this
chapter.
8.75.080—Enforcement
(1) Particularly with the discharge of consumer fireworks in violation of this chapter, public
awareness and voluntary compliance efforts should be used prior to enforcement under this
chapter.
(2) The county sheriff or their designee has the discretion to enforce this chapter. This chapter
does not create a duty on the part of the county,the county sheriff,the county fire marshal,or local
fire officials to enforce violations of this chapter. Decisions about whether and how to enforce
this chapter shall be made in conjunction with the county prosecuting attorney or their designee.
(3) The county sheriff or their designee may consult with the county fire marshal or a local fire
official in enforcement of this chapter. The county sheriff or their designee are authorized to:
(a) Issue citations to or arrest without warrant persons violating the provisions of this chapter;
(b) Serve and execute all warrants, citations and other process issued by the courts;
(c) Send by certified mail any warrant, citation or other process to the last known place of
residence of the person alleged to have violated of this chapter,which shall be deemed as personal
service upon the person alleged to have violated this chapter.
(4) This chapter as well as permits or decisions issued under it may be enforced through the
provisions of Title 19 JCC, Code Compliance. The county sheriff is the "director" for purposes
of JCC 19.10.015(19). The county sheriff shall coordinate with the code compliance coordinator
on decisions to enforce this chapter under Title 19 JCC.
(5)Enforcement through this chapter is not exclusive and additional enforcement mechanisms may
exist, which may include filing civil actions in courts of competent jurisdiction under other
applicable laws.
(6)The county prosecuting attorney may at any time bring such additional injunctive, declaratory,
criminal, or other actions as are necessary to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
(7)Nothing in this title shall be interpreted to mean that civil and criminal remedies for the same
violations may not be brought simultaneously.
8.75.090 -Severability.
If any provision of this chapter is declared unconstitutional or the applicability thereof to any
person or circumstance is held invalid, the constitutionality of the remainder of the ordinance
codified in this chapter and the applicability thereof to other persons and circumstance shall not be
affected thereby.
8.75.100 - Effective date.
That the ordinance codified in this chapter and the rules, regulations, provisions, requirements,
orders and matters established and adopted pursuant to the ordinance codified in this chapter shall
take effect and be in full force and effect one year after the date of adoption.
8.75.110 Disclaimer of liability.
Nothing contained in this chapter is intended to be nor shall be construed to create or form the
basis for any liability on the part of the county, its officers, employees or agents, or any local fire
official, for any injury or damage resulting from the failure of anyone to comply with the
provisions of this chapter, or by reason or in consequence of the implementation or enforcement
pursuant to this chapter, or by reason of any action or inaction on the part of the county related in
any manner to the enforcement of this chapter by its officers, employees or agents.
SUPPLEMENTAL CODE CHANGES (CLEAN)
8.72.010 Purpose and construction. ,
(4) This chapter shall be liberally construed to carry out its broad purposes.
8.72.040 Fire danger risk level burn restrictions.
(5) Fire Danger Risk Levels.
(c) Stage 3 High Fire Hazard.
(i)Use of charcoal briquettes is prohibited, except for commercially made listed
and labeled barbeque devices located and used at a residence.
(ii) Target shooting outside of gun ranges, and use of exploding targets or
incendiary ammunition is prohibited. Hunting is allowed in open areas.