The City of Burien wants to remind all that – as the 4th of July rapidly approaches – residents are asked to comply with Burien’s ban on fireworks within City limits. “Hot, dry temperatures over the past month and going into the weekend create especially dangerous fire conditions and call for extreme caution in handling flammables of any type,” the city said in a statement. The Burien Police Department has scheduled extra officers who will specifically be assigned to enforce violations of the fireworks ordinance. Residents who possess or discharge fireworks may receive a ticket, be fined $257.00, and have their fireworks confiscated. Residents are encouraged to attend a public fireworks display in lieu of purchasing and discharging their own. Questions on the ban can be addressed to Captain Bryan Howard of the Burien Police Department. He is supervising all fireworks enforcement efforts and can be reached at (206) 477-2248 or bryan.howard@kingcounty.gov. Here’s the city’s exact wording on BMC 5.30:

5.30.020 Sale of fireworks unlawful. It is unlawful for any person to offer for retail sale or sell any fireworks within the city. [Ord. 490 § 1, 2008; Ord. 267 § 4, 1999] 5.30.030 Permit required for public display of fireworks. It is unlawful for any person to hold, conduct or engage in any public display of fireworks within the city without first having obtained and being the holder of a valid permit under the provisions of this chapter. [Ord. 267 § 5, 1999] 5.30.040 Discharge of fireworks prohibited. Except as authorized by a state license and city permit granted by the local fire official pursuant to RCW 70.77.260(2) (public display) or RCW 70.77.311(2) (use by individual or group for religious or other specified purpose on approved date and at approved location), no person shall ignite, explode or discharge any fireworks within the city. [Ord. 490 § 2, 2008; Ord. 267 § 6, 1999] 5.30.045 Possession of fireworks unlawful. Except as authorized by a state license and city permit granted by the local fire official pursuant to RCW 70.77.260(2) (public display) or RCW 70.77.311(2) (use by individual or group for religious or other specified purpose on approved date and at approved location), it shall be unlawful for any person to control or possess any fireworks within the city. [Ord. 491 § 1, 2008] 5.30.050 Permit fee. The annual fee for a “public display” permit for the public display of fireworks shall be $100.00, and shall be payable to King County Fire Protection District No. 2 or the North Highline Fire District, as appropriate. [Ord. 267 § 7, 1999] 5.30.060 Issuance – Nontransferable – Voiding. Each public display permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall be valid only for the specific authorized public display event, shall be used only by the designated permittee, and shall be nontransferable. Any transfer or unauthorized use of a permit is a violation of this chapter and shall void the permit in addition to all other sanctions provided in this code. [Ord. 267 § 8, 1999] 5.30.070 Application for public display permit. Applications for a permit to hold, conduct or operate a public display of fireworks shall be made to King County Fire Protection District No. 2 or North Highline Fire District, as appropriate, at least 14 days prior to the scheduled event. Applicants shall meet all qualifications and requirements of state law regarding public display of fireworks and all fire and safety requirements in the standards for public display set forth below. [Ord. 267 § 9, 1999] 5.30.080 Standards for public fireworks displays. All public fireworks displays shall conform to the following minimum standards and conditions: (1) All public fireworks displays must be planned, organized and discharged by a state-licensed pyrotechnician; (2) A permit must be obtained from the fire chief or designee prior to any display of public fireworks. The permit shall include the name of the applicant and his address; the name of the pyrotechnician and his address; the exact location, date and time of the proposed display; the number, type and class of fireworks to be displayed; the manner in which the fireworks are being stored prior to the public fireworks display; and shall include the name and address of the insurance company providing the bond required; (3) A drawing shall be submitted to the fire chief or designee showing a plan view of the fireworks discharge site and the surrounding area within a 500-foot radius. The drawing shall include all structures, fences, barricades, streets, fields, streams and any other significant factors that may be subjected to ignition or that may inhibit firefighting capabilities; (4) The fire chief or designee may require that a fire department pumper and a minimum of two trained firefighters shall be on site 30 minutes prior to and after the discharge of any fireworks; (5) All combustible debris and trash shall be removed from the area of discharge for a distance of 300 feet in all directions; (6) All unfired or undischarged fireworks shall be disposed of in a safe manner; (7) A minimum of two 2A-rated pressurized water fire extinguishers and one fire blanket shall be required to be at the fireworks discharge site; (8) The permit may be immediately revoked at any time deemed necessary by the fire marshal or designee due to any noncompliance, or weather conditions such as extremely low humidity or wind factor. The display may also be canceled by accidental ignition of any form of combustible or flammable material in the vicinity due to falling debris from the display; and (9) Areas of public access shall be determined by the fire chief or designee and maintained in an approved manner. [Ord. 267 § 10, 1999] 5.30.090 Applicability. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the sale and use of all fireworks except “toy caps,” and as is otherwise exempt pursuant to RCW 70.77.311 as now stated or as may be amended. [Ord. 267 § 11, 1999] 5.30.100 Chapter in connection with state law. This chapter is intended to implement Chapter 70.77 RCW, and shall be construed in connection with that law and any and all rules or regulations issued pursuant thereto. [Ord. 267 § 12, 1999] 5.30.110 Enforcement. The fire chief, or designee, is authorized to enforce all provisions of this chapter and, in addition to criminal sanctions or civil remedies, he may revoke any permit issued pursuant to this chapter upon any failure or refusal of the permittee to comply with the orders and directives of the fire chief or designee, and/or to comply with any provisions of this chapter or other laws or regulations. [Ord. 267 § 13, 1999] 5.30.120 Penalty for violations. (1) “Civil infraction” has the meaning given that term by Chapter 7.80 RCW, as now or hereafter amended, and the Infraction Rules for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction (“IRLJ”) and any local rule adopted thereto by the King County district court, as they may be now or hereafter amended. (2) Except as provided below, any person violating or failing to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment of up to 90 days or imposition of a fine of up to $1,000, or by both such fine and imprisonment. (3) A violation of BMC 5.30.040 (Discharge of fireworks prohibited) shall be a Class 2 civil infraction and, upon a finding that a violation has been committed, the person committing such act shall be assessed an amount not to exceed $125.00, plus applicable statutory assessments. Such penalty is in addition to any other remedies or penalties specifically provided by law. For each act herein prohibited of a continuing nature, each day shall be considered a separate offense. (4) A violation of BMC 5.30.045 (Possession of fireworks unlawful) shall be a Class 2 civil infraction and, upon a finding that a violation has been committed, the person committing such act shall be assessed an amount not to exceed $125.00, plus applicable statutory assessments. Such penalty is in addition to any other remedies or penalties specifically provided by law. For each act herein prohibited of a continuing nature, each day shall be considered a separate offense. [Ord. 491 § 2, 2008]
“The Mayor, City Council, and staff would wish everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July!”]]>

Since 2007, The B-Town Blog is Burien’s multiple award-winning hyperlocal news/events website dedicated to independent journalism.

24 replies on “City of Burien reminds residents of fireworks ban, fire danger during heat”

    2. OK local for one the i-502 only allows a adult over 21 years of age to possess upto 1 oz of dry bud also this is a voter approved state law. The fireworks ban is city law and in this dry weather it’s not that bad of idea even though it has been a law for a few years.
      Also when people are lighting off fireworks in burien its not a emergency you need to call the non emergency number or try the fire department. If you have animals put them in a dark bedroom basement works best with a radio on and a dish of food and water check on them every hour. They should be fine

      1. Jimmy, do you even have dogs? If you do, and this is what you do with your dogs on the 4th of July, someone should reach out to C.A.R.E.S.. I have dogs and I would NOT EVER do this when the fireworks are going off! Emergency/non-emergency, I am tired of hearing about this s*$t. If it is against the law the damn police should come – period. Still not quite sure what the point even is of the non-emergency line since the police NEVER come anyway.

        1. We have had dogs and cats not in the same room for years works every year better then drugging your pets and safer. A quite room with alarm clock radio on with some music going keeps there attention away from the bangs,booms and pops

          2. I read the link….it is assuming that you are going out to enjoy the festivities. Also, the link doesn’t say anywhere locking them in a dark room in the basement is better than drugging them. Also, if you are locking them in a room in the basement and then leaving to go to a party, how do you even know that the radio distracts them? We stay home every year and watch movies, trust me when I tell you that it doesn’t matter – the dogs hear and react to every single BOOM!

          3. A quiet escape free room is right in that paragraph does not have be locked so even if not going out for the night the same thing applys I suggest a basement do to the fact the walls in a basement are usually thicker so less noise . Also I would never leave them home alone on the 4 of july . The radio is there to help with distracting them. I don’t know it’s work for us every year . Also drugging your dogs could increase there heart rate and cause more confusion for the dog. But go ask a veterinary and if you want force a pill down your dogs mouth then go a head. That’s on you
            Also just to point it out in my first post I said check on them every hour and give them food and water I never said anything about leaving them home in a locked room a escape free room for pet means a closed door and no windows open unless if they have a good screen in it. Obviously your going need ether a fan or ac for this time of the year so they don’t get to hot.

  2. The ban doesn’t help if they won’t enforce it. There are ALWAYS tons of fireworks at Evergreen High School. When you call to report, the response is basically – “too bad”

    1. Not at EHS or next door at Cascade. Try out in the street. They signed off keep fireworks out at EHS with those things and they enforce it. The streets of course is where they are at. Where they spend their whole paycheck.

  3. I always find it comical to see these notices when fireworks will go off all day and night on the 4th (and days before and after) and the police don’t even respond to calls about it. It’s not like you don’t know who is lighting them off. Follow the giant explosives.

  6. I know I`m going to see a lot of thumbs down but,
    With hundreds of people doing fireworks on the 4th (including our neighborhood) do you really think the police have the resources to enforce every call from every whiner just because they think their call should have priority when they are going off all around them?

    1. Whiner? Some of us work, some of us have dogs, and some of us are people with heart conditions. I HATE fireworks, but do my best to just let it go ON the 4th….but when they start on June 30th and go until July 10th and they are all night! it gets damn annoying!

  8. Please also keep in mind our Veterans (HEROES) with PTSD, loud bangs, fireworks,these are all things that can set off an attack in them…..

  9. I think they should be banned, not only is it a major fire risk due to weather but it also effects people with ptsd

  11. There are big displays of fireworks right in our own neighborhood. I just do not understand why people risk their safety, property damage, freaking out our pets and fires not to mention the huge mess the next day and the pollution just to set off their own annoying, crappy second rate ones. Packing up my dog and getting out of dodge because I know the ban is meaningless here.

  12. Ive got them going off now in “Normandy Park” across the street down the hillside. Im in Burien.. Bottle rockets, cherry bombs and firecrackers and a few other big bangs shot amid the trees. An hour ago a little light and dark colored Fiat going about 40 drove up from 3 three point towards Sylvester Rd dispersing cherry bombs out the window as they drove. Check your mailboxes. They might still be there. Just sick of being afraid of fire and idiots blowing up property. I called the cops, polite but no promises. Normandy Park has strict regulations on what can be set off, and these are not included. Dont be afraid to call the police if you are worried that the fireworks could cause a fire, And, unless they are being set off on the beach, any fireworks could cause a fire in these conditions,

  13. I`m really surprised at how quiet its been around my neck of the woods compared to years past. We normally buy a few hundred bucks worth but with it being as dry it is we decided this is not a good year to be lighting off any aerial displays so we just got some little fountains and things like pop its for the kids

  14. Would like to thank all the residents that showed restraint in their choice of fireworks and where they set them off. Was dead quiet all day on the 4th and then towards twilight aerial displays over the water and a few big bangs. My cat didn’t even go into hiding (usually 2 days or so). Traffic was down by at least 50 percent from last yea and I saw no roving groups of kids tossing fireworks. Hope everyone was able to find a good place to watch the fireworks and enjoy their evening.
    Again, thank you!

  15. Be careful what you wish for. Pretty much every argument I’ve read here can be used against anything. Personally, I think they should ban parades. Come on!
    Veterans with PTSD – have problems with crowds.
    Pets – spooked by all the people.
    Fires – I saw people throwing ciggarette butts on the ground. That could start a fire.
    Environment? – yeah, all those cars idling and going nowhere.
    See what I mean?

Comments are closed.