The Washougal City Council will be holding a public hearing to gather input regarding personal fireworks regulations within the city limits of Washougal, including the possibility of a complete ban. The public hearing is scheduled for October 9, 2017 at 7 p.m. at Washougal City Hall in Council chambers located at 1701 C Street, Washougal, WA.
Members of the community are encouraged to attend this meeting to voice their opinion regarding this subject. Any interested party may testify at the public hearing or submit written testimony at or prior to the hearing. Written comments must be received at City Hall by 4:30 p.m. on October 9, 2017, to be available for the Council’s consideration at the hearing. Mail written statements to Rose Jewell, 1701 C Street, Washougal, WA 98671 or email Rose.Jewell@cityofwashougal.us.
Options the Council is considering include: a complete ban on personal fireworks use, further limiting the time period during which personal fireworks can be used, and/or allowing only “safe and sane” fireworks to be used. Current permitted dates/times for purchase are July 2-4 from 9 a.m.-11 p.m. and December 29-31 from 12-11 p.m. Current permitted dates/times for discharge are July 4 from 9 a.m.-12 a.m. (midnight) and December 31 from 6 p.m.-1 a.m. “Safe and sane” fireworks are those that are neither projectile nor explosive. They include: fountains, sparklers, smokeballs, snake-type fireworks, ground-spinning fireworks, pinwheels, most novelty fireworks, toy-trick noisemakers, and some crackling items—basically anything that doesn’t leave the ground. Fireworks that include rockets, aerial missiles and spinners, roman candle-types and any other device (combination or novelty) that is structurally or functionally similar to any of these designs are generally not considered "safe and sane."
A survey will also be available to residents to collect opinions on whether the City of Washougal should institute a complete ban on fireworks, modify the existing regulations or take no action. The brief survey will be sent via email to residents, available on CityofWashougal.us and through the city’s social media channels.
Following the public hearing, the Council will hold a work session in November, where the options will be considered, with potential action to make any changes to occur before the end of the year. Changes to fireworks restrictions must be made 365 days prior to becoming effective according to Washington State law.
Contact: David Scott, City Administrator (360) 835-8501 ext. 102; Rose Jewell, Assistant to Mayor & City Administrator (360) 835-8501 ext. 602
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