Bridgeport council unanimously approves fireworks ban

BRIDGEPORT – The city has joined the growing list of municipalities that are banning fireworks inside their limits as an added fire preventative measure in the face of hotter summer temperatures and dryer landscape conditions. The city council unanimously approved the ordinance at its regular monthly meeting On Oct. 16. The ordinance prohibits “the sale and use of fireworks in the city except as authorized by permit for public displays” and takes effect Oct. 16, 2025, a year from its signing by Mayor Sergio Orozco.

“This means zero fireworks in the City of Bridgeport?” asked council member Jackie Hentges,

“There is a permit process if you have a big event,” said Orozco.

To secure a permit acceptable under the new ordinance, the applicant must first furnish the city fire chief with a $1 million bond or certificate of insurance.

“It would be pretty hard…to do fireworks,” Orozco said. “If we ban them it gives law enforcement the authority to do something about it,” said Orozco. “Right now, they can’t because there is nothing that says (the public) cannot do it.”

The ordinance is tied to the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Washington Administrative Code (WAC), defining allowable fireworks in WAC 212-17-025 under Trick and novelty devices and does not allow “any kind of sparklers.”

Among the new ordinance provisions are those governing the seizure of fireworks by the Sheriff’s Office and penalties for violation.

When Hentges inquired about consequences for those who set off fireworks outside the city limits, she was advised that those actions fall under county jurisdiction, which has a fireworks ban already in place.

Asked about any public feedback about a citywide ban, Orozco said the overwhelming response has been supportive. 

“What I have heard, people want it banned,” said Orozco. “I haven’t heard anyone tell me, ‘No, you’re making a mistake.’” 

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media