Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 3.J
Meeting Date: May 27, 2026
From: Anne Ambrose, Assistant City Manager
Title: Second Reading - Add Chapter 11.21 to Title 11 of the Cathedral City Municipal Code to Prohibit and Regulate Fireworks within the City and Adopt Resolution to Amend the Schedule of Fines for Administrative Citations
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. To provide second reading by title only and adopt an ordinance adding Section 11.21 to Title 11 of the Cathedral City Municipal Code to prohibit and regulate fireworks within the City.
2. Adopt Resolution amending the schedule of fines for administrative citations and establishing a greater administrative fine amount for a public nuisance violation of Chapter 11.21 of the Cathedral City Municipal Code.
BACKGROUND:
On May 13, 2026, the City Council conducted a public hearing and voted to introduce the proposed ordinance and move it to be adopted. Attached for the second reading and adoption is the proposed ordinance.
DISCUSSION:
The ordinance adds Chapter 11.21 to Title 11 of the Cathedral City Municipal Code to supplement the City’s existing Fire Code provisions prohibiting fireworks within the City.
The ordinance:
1. Prohibits the display, possession, discharge, sale, and offering for sale of fireworks, except as otherwise authorized by law or permitted fireworks displays;
2. Establishes enforcement authority, responsible-person liability, and administrative fine provisions;
3. Declares fireworks violations a public nuisance and authorizes seizure, disposal, nuisance abatement, and cost recovery; and
4. Allows the City to pursue available administrative, civil, and criminal remedies. A companion resolution is presented tonight for approval amending the City’s schedule of administrative fines and establishing a greater administrative fine amount of $1,000 for violations of Chapter 11.21.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Adoption of Ordinance No. ___ is not expected to result in a direct fiscal impact to the City.
The ordinance establishes administrative fine, nuisance abatement, and cost recovery provisions that may allow the City to recover certain costs associated with fireworks-related enforcement, seizure, storage, transportation, disposal, and abatement activities.
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal E- Safety: support continued Police, Fire, and Code Compliance engagement with the community
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Ordinance No. __ Fireworks Regulations
2. Resolution Amending the Schedule of Fines