17C.60.230 Fireworks.
Section 5601.1.3 of the International Fire Code is deleted in its entirety and replaced as follows:
The sale, storage, possession, transportation, and discharge of fireworks shall be in accordance with Chapter 70.77 RCW and Chapter 212-17 WAC and the following:
A. Definitions. Definitions for fireworks are listed in Chapter 70.77 RCW and Chapter 212-17 WAC.
B. Permit to Sell Required. It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to engage in the retail sale of, or to sell, any fireworks within the unincorporated area of Pierce County without first having obtained a permit pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter. Applications for permits will be accepted by the County only during the period between March 15 and May 10 of the year for which the permit is sought. May 10 shall be the official date of receipt for such applications. Applications shall be accompanied with a permit fee in the amount specified in International Fire Code Section 105.8 as amended herein. Permits shall be approved by the Pierce County Executive or designee. Sales shall not commence until an on-site inspection of the sales site has been conducted and approved by the Fire Marshal.
C. Dangerous Fireworks Prohibited. It is unlawful for any person to sell, possess, transport, use, or explode any fireworks classified as dangerous within the unincorporated area of the County except as permitted by Chapter 70.77 RCW. Any person found in violation of this Section shall be subject to the penalties prescribed in Chapter 70.77 RCW.
D. Report by the Fire Marshal. The Pierce County Fire Marshal shall promptly notify the Pierce County Council any time the Fuel Moisture Content of the 10 hour fuels is below 8 as determined by the Pierce County Fire Marshal from six different geographic locations in the County.
E. The Pierce County Fire Marshal, in consultation with the Pierce County Executive, is authorized to issue a temporary order prohibiting the discharge of consumer fireworks in unincorporated Pierce County when the condition in subsection D of this Section has been reached or exceeded. A violation of the temporary fireworks order is a violation under subsection P of this Section.
F. Dates When Sales and Purchases Permitted. No permit holder shall sell at retail or offer for sale nor shall any person purchase any fireworks authorized to be sold in this Chapter within the unincorporated area of the County, except from 12:00 noon to 11:00 p.m. on June 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. from June 29 through July 4, and from 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m. on December 27 through December 31.
G. Dates and Hours When Discharge Permitted. No person shall discharge any fireworks within the unincorporated area of the County except between 10:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. on July 4, and between 6:00 p.m. on December 31 and 1:00 a.m. on January 1; provided, that this prohibition shall not apply to duly authorized public displays where the same are authorized pursuant to the laws of the State; and provided further, that this prohibition shall not apply to persons or organizations specified in subsection H of this Section.
H. Exemptions from Discharge Time Regulations. The discharge of fireworks by religious organizations for ceremonial use and/or by private organizations or persons for specific uses, when approved by the Fire Marshal, shall be permitted at any time or date so approved. The requirements of PCC 17C.60.240 shall be met and only allowed by a licensed pyrotechnician.
I. Number of Permits Limited. No person, firm, or corporation shall receive more than one permit for the sale of fireworks during any one calendar year. The maximum number of permits issued by the County in any year shall not exceed one for every 7,000 or fraction thereof, in excess of 3,500 in population, residing in the unincorporated limits of the County.
J. Issuance of New Permits. In the event there are more applications for permits than there are permits available, permits shall be granted in the following manner:
1. Any person, firm or corporation having been issued a permit and exercised its rights under that permit for the year prior to the making of the application shall be entitled to renew the permit except upon a determination by the Fire Marshal that fewer permits are available due to reduction in population, a drawing will be conducted to determine which of the applicants will be granted permits.
2. Upon a determination by the County Fire Marshal that additional permits are available due to growth in population or cancellation or termination of any existing permits, the County shall notify all prospective applicants for permits to sell fireworks of whom it has notice, of the time, date and place at which a drawing for the permits shall be conducted.
K. Number of Retail Outlets Limited. A permit granted pursuant to this Chapter shall entitle the permit holder to maintain only one retail outlet. All permits issued pursuant to this Chapter shall be used only by the designated permit holder and shall be nontransferable. Any transfer or purported transfer of such a permit shall be a violation of this Chapter.
L. Submittal Standards. An application for the sale of fireworks shall include the following:
1. The permit applicant shall have a valid and subsisting license issued by the State authorizing the holder thereof to engage in the sale of fireworks.
2. The permit applicant shall own or have the right to possess a temporary fireworks stand complying with the standards set forth in this Chapter for temporary fireworks stands.
3. The permit applicant shall procure and maintain a policy or policies of public liability and property damage insurance with a company or companies licensed to do business in the State, with liability limits of not less than $100,000.00 for bodily injuries to any one person in one accident or occurrence; $500,000.00 for bodily injuries to two or more persons in any one accident or occurrence; and $100,000.00 property damage; or, at the option of the applicant, a combined single limit of $500,000.00 per occurrence.
4. The permit holder's location or place of business shall be only in those areas or zones within the County wherein commercial activities are authorized under the applicable zoning laws of the County; provided, that the sale of approved fireworks shall not be deemed an enlargement of an existing nonconforming use; and provided further, that no fireworks shall be sold in any residential area where a commercial enterprise does not exist.
5. A site plan showing the location of the stand and separations required by WAC 212-17-21509 shall be submitted with the permit application. Except for minor adjustments on the site to comply with the separation requirements, a stand shall not be moved from the location on the plan unless a revised site plan has been submitted prior to June 18 for the sales period beginning June 28, and December 15 for the sales period beginning December 27.
6. An Ortho Photo of the stand location area shall be provided. The location of the stand shall be noted on the photo.
7. A current letter of authorization from the property owner, stating the stand location is approved, shall be provided.
8. Identification of the temporary storage area for the fireworks (when not in the fireworks stand) shall be provided.
9. The permit applicant shall post with the County a performance bond or cash deposit in an amount not less than $250.00, conditioned upon the prompt removal of the temporary stand and the cleaning up of all debris from the site of the temporary stand, which deposit shall be returned to the applicant only in the event that the applicant removes the temporary stand and cleans up all debris to the satisfaction of the Fire Marshal. In the event of the applicant's failure to do so, the performance bond or cash deposit shall be forfeited to the County and such failure may be grounds to refuse to grant a permit the following year. In no event shall the applicant be entitled to the return of the performance bond or cash deposit if the applicant has failed to remove the temporary stand and clean up all debris before July 16 for the sales period ending July 4, and January 12 for the sales period ending December 31 of the preceding year. The applicant shall be responsible for the cost of the cleanup that exceeds the amount of the performance bond or cash deposit.
10. The application shall be signed by the permit applicant or its duly authorized officer or agent.
M. Stands to Be Temporary. Fireworks approved for sale and sold at retail sale shall be sold from temporary stands only, or other such temporary structures as approved by Chapter 212-17 WAC.
N. Revocation of Permit. The Fire Marshal or duly authorized representative may summarily revoke any fireworks permit for any failure or refusal on the part of the permit holder to obey any rule or regulation.
O. Enforcement. The Pierce County Sheriff and deputies are designated "Local fire authorities" for purposes of issuing civil penalty citations under Chapter 70.77 RCW and Chapter 212-17 WAC.
P. Violations and Penalties.
1. Any person who violates subsections C, E, or G of this Section shall be subject to a Class 1 civil infraction pursuant to Chapter 1.16 PCC in addition to criminal penalties provided in this Chapter and in Chapter 70.77 RCW.
2. A person is guilty of a separate offence for each separate and distinct violation of any provisions of this Section, and for each day during which the person commits or allows to continue any violation of the provisions of this Section.