Title
ADD-ON - Fire Code Fireworks Amendments (Ordinance G-7515) - Citywide
Description
Request approval of amendments to the Phoenix Fire Prevention Code related to fireworks. The proposed changes align the Code with definitions established in Arizona’s state fireworks statute and incorporate those definitions into the Code’s regulatory provisions.
Report
Summary
This amendment to the fireworks-related provision in the Phoenix Fire Prevention Code is consistent with the proposed amendments to the City Code’s fireworks provisions, state law, and in response to direction from the City Manager’s Office and the growing public concern about the public safety risks associated with fireworks use.
The need for updates stems largely from changes to Arizona Revised Statutes Title 36 enacted in 2015, which changed previously defined terms and preempted local governments from broadly regulating permissible consumer fireworks. While the current Phoenix Fire Prevention Code Fireworks provisions mirror model fire codes and prohibit most fireworks use, state law forbids the prohibition of certain sales and uses by municipalities. The proposed revision updates definitions to be consistent with state law and integrates the updated definitions into the fireworks provisions.
The proposed amendment is included as Attachment A.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
This item was presented to the City of Phoenix Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee and approved on May 6, 2026.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays, Deputy City Manager Cynthia Aguilar and the Fire, Police and Parks and Recreation departments.