CITY OF FAIRFIELD
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-03
AMENDING CHAPTER 8, ARTICLE I, SECTION 8.3, CHAPTER 56 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE
REGARDING EXPLOSIVES AND FIREWORKS IN THE CITY OF FAIRFIELD
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the sale, use and/or discharge of fireworks in the City of Fairfield, whether classified as "dangerous fireworks" and/or "safe and sane fireworks" (pursuant to Health and Safety Code Sections 12500 et seq.), will endang er life and property, and may encourage the use and/or discharge of fireworks in neighboring jurisdictions where their sale, use and/or discharge are prohibited unless prohibited and/or regulated as set forth in this chapter; and
WHEREAS, the City Council also finds that the City of Fairfield, which is partially in both moderate, high, and very high Fire Hazard Severity Zones pursuant to Chapter 8B of the Fairfield Municipal Code (“FMC”) and Government Code section 51178, must prohibit and/or regulate fire works in order to mitigate the risk of devastating wildfires which poses a grave threat to life, property, and community; and
WHEREAS, the City Council also finds that illegal fireworks continue to pose a serious and preventable threat to public safety, contribute to increased fire risk, strain on emergency services, and disruption to the community; and
WHEREAS, the City Council also finds that current ordinance under Chapter 8, Article I, Section
8.3, Chapter 56 of the Municipal Code lacks the specifici ty and enforcement mechanisms necessary to effectively mitigate the current danger of fireworks in our community; and
WHEREAS, the City Council also finds there is a clear need for a revised and comprehensive ordinance that clearly defines prohibited fire works and related activities, establishes accountability for property owner and responsible parties using and/or discharging fireworks, and strengthens enforcement provisions to deter illegal use and hold violators accountable;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAIRFIELD HEREBY ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council hereby adopts all of the findings listed above.
SECTION 2. The current language of Chapter 8, Article I, Section 8.3, Chapter 56 of the Fairfield Municipal Code regarding “Explosives and Fireworks” is hereby amended by st riking all current language and inserting the amended language attached to this Ordinance as Exhibit A.
ORD. NO. 2026-03
SECTION 3. CEQA Exemption. Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) and the State CEQA Guidelines, the City Council in their own independent judgment has reviewed the whole record and has determined that this Ordinance is exempt from further environmental analysis pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3). Under this Section, “CEQA only applies to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA.” This code amendment amends enforcement of fireworks in the City of Fairfield, consistent with California state law, and does not involve actions that would result in a physical change to the environment.
SECTION 4. Severability. If any provision of this Ordinance or its application is deemed invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the City Council intends that such invalidity will not affect the validity of the remaining provisions or their applicati on and, to this end, the provision s of this Ordinance are severable.
SECTION 5. Interpretation. The City Manager, Fire Chief, Fire Marshal, Chief of Police, or their authorized representative s shall have the power to do all things necessary to enforce th e provisions of this Ordinance as is reasonably necessary to effectuate the purpose of this Ordinance.
SECTION 6. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be effective 30 days following its adoption by the City Council. Within 15 days after passage, a summar y of this Ordinance shall be published in accordance with California Government Code Section 36933 together with the names of the City Councilmembers voting for and against it.
INTRODUCED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Fairfield on the 19 th day of May 2026, and
ORD. NO. 2026-03
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 2nd day of June 2026, by the following vote:
AYES: MEMBERS: MOY/BERTANI/CARR/PANDURO/SANDHU/TONNESEN/WILLIAMS NOES: MEMBERS: _________________________________________________ ABSENT: MEMBERS: _________________________________________________ ABSTAIN: MEMBERS: _________________________________________________
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MAYOR
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK