With the July 4th holiday fast approaching, the City of Burien wants to remind residents that the sale, possession or discharge of any fireworks is prohibited.
“Burien Police will have extra patrols out looking for violators, who can be fined up to $125,” according to the city’s website.
While public displays that you may see for free at Lake Burien or Three Tree Point are licensed and legal (both of which start around 10 p.m.), setting off your own firecrackers, bottle rockets, roman candles and other combustibles is strictly illegal.
No matter where you buy your fireworks – at an Indian reservation or local fireworks stand – if you set them off in Burien you’re running the risk of getting a ticket.
According to the city’s municipal code, doing so may result in a Class 2 civil infraction with a fine of $125.00, plus “applicable statutory assessments.”
Here’s what Burien P.D. posted to their Facebook page:
“The possession or use of fireworks is banned within the city limits of Burien. Extra officers will be on hand specifically to respond to neighborhood fireworks complaints. I will also be working that evening to coordinate our response and ensure strict enforcement of the fireworks ordinance.
We have a list of areas where complaints occur each year. Today, we will be doorbelling those areas to speak with neighbors and ask for their help. We are doing this in the hopes of preventing our residents from spending money on fireworks that we may be forced to confiscate.
If you have a fireworks complaint, please contact our dispatchers by calling the non-emergency number at (206) 296-3311. Tickets will be issued to offenders. Please help us and everyone else enjoy the 4th. If you like fireworks as much as I do, I would encourage you to attend a public display.”
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]
In unincorporated King County (ie: the White Center area):
- Fireworks may be discharged only on July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight.
- Fireworks sales are legal beginning at noon on June 28 until 11 p.m. and then daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. through July 4. No sales can occur after July 4.
- To purchase fireworks you must be at least 16 years of age with picture identification.
Here are some Fireworks safety tips from the county:
- Use only approved, legal, and common fireworks from reliable Washington State and King County Fire Marshal licensed retailers.
- Always have a responsible adult light all fireworks.
- Have a charged garden hose or a fire extinguisher handy.
- Use fireworks under outdoor conditions only, away from buildings, houses with wood shingles, trees, and dry fields.
- Avoid aerial type fireworks.
- Light one item at a time, move away quickly, and keep a safe distance away.
- Dispose of used fireworks by first soaking them in water.
- Ensure the safety of pets (see tips for keeping pets safe)
- Use eye protection.
- Remember your neighbors and clean up all debris.
- If a device does not light or fire, an adult should wait at least a minimum of five minutes before approaching the device.
- Remember, if it has a stick or fins and it goes up or if it blows up, it is illegal in Washington State.
- Rather than buying fireworks, attend a public fireworks display when available and make that a family tradition.
Here’s video from previous year’s LEGAL barge-launched fireworks display at Three Tree Point:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvtPqhi5qsQ[/youtube]
Here are some videos of some apparently-ILLEGAL fireworks launched by residents at Lake Burien:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj6xd9RxE24[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8GA9h4t8kY[/youtube]]]>
If this year is like past years, laws against fireworks will not be enforced in any meaningful way. A small minority of jerks and idiots, less than 5% of Burien’s citizens, will be given free rein to harass, annoy, intimidate, and endanger their neighbors. The threat of a ticket is a joke. Please, Burien Police Department, publish the numbers of how many tickets for illegal fireworks were issued in past years. I would bet the number is zero.
If you are in favor of setting off illegal fireworks, please post to this thread with your real name and your address, and state for the record that you intend to break the law and you don’t care what anyone else thinks. You, the one setting off fireworks, are counting on the fact that it is impossible for two or ten police officers to stop a thousand people from breaking the law simultaneously in a thousand locations around the city. This makes you the worst sort of coward. If you are not a coward, then prove it by stating publicly that you intend to break the law and you don’t care who knows.
I think it pretty ridiculous too how fireworks are dealt with I think the fire depart and the police need to go in full force one firework lit a big fine $1,000 and a night in jail and the supect has to pay everyone’s water bill that lives in the neighborhood for the month . I also think that is b.s. that lake burien and Three tree point can have fireworks shows yes I know these by professionals but things can go wrong and with the amount of million dollar houses around there it could become a big time lawsuit if some firework hits a house in the driest time the year it doesn’t take much to start a fire
I was out Crabbing last 4th of July at Three Tree Point in the morning, those poor people down there sure got some good stuff to blow up…I heard and saw over 20 explosions. A law is not working if no one enforces it. Call it a feel good law…feels good to make it a law.
It is called civil disobedience, those people are just trying to celebrate their nations birthday in the traditional manor. By breaking an unjust law they are in their own way reenacting what our founding fathers did to create our nation. Every firework you hear or see is one of your citizens telling the rest of you what they think of your unpatriotic law. Chill out and try to enjoy it, it is only for one day, and it is supposed to be a celebration of living in a free country.
So glad I enjoy the freedoms of not living in Burien.
You may try to call this a patriotic issue sir but its not its a safety issue any person with a little common sense can see that July is one the driest times of year. Look at the main story of day there’s a good kid help put out fire now I don’t know if that was fireworks related or not but things are dry and have things that are on fire flying up and throw sparks around then dropping and possibly landing in some grass or some ones dry roof is just not smart and not safe that’s why it’s illegal in most cities in the area to light off fireworks. There are places like your area where fireworks are legal and it is fine to light them off as long as you’re safe about it and follow the LAWS like no bottle rockets or tennis balls fill with whatever. You can also safely watch a fireworks show on tv 4,5,7&13 usually have something on and with how most tv’s are today you might even get a better show on tv than in person or if you feel need you can goto a public fireworks show
Jimmy, You have the freedom to choose to live in a plastic bubble and watch the fireworks on TV. Personally I choose to experience life rather then watch life. I have been on this planet for 50 years and have managed to celebrate our nations birthday all that time without any significant incident. Fortunately I live in a neighborhood where the people have spines, know how to respect each others freedoms, and therefore have a good time.
could not have said it better myself
KABOOM!!!!
jimmy man up and say you don’t like fireworks. don’t hide behind “safety” as u say july is one of the driest months….isn’t the 4th in the beginning of the month? mmmm…isn’t the rainfall way above average this year?….we don’t live in the desert… man up and admit you are a Nazi oppressor!
well said pat
hurry up and die already we need the space for people who know how to enjoy life
If only we could get our Police department to work this aggressively against REAL crime.
Here it is our Nations Birthday, celebrating our independence as a nation and I have seen 4 police cruisers come by my house today alone. My neighborhood has been getting raped by burglaries and in the last 6 months I can count on one hand how many police cars I’ve seen in this neighbor. But break out the fire crackers and it’s full on police surveillance…..ridiculous, embarrassing and a complete lack of priority! Extra officers for fireworks but not for home invasion! I just shake my freakin head!!!
Well said, It is amazingly disgusting where our priorities have gone.