Dayton receives numerous noise and nuisance complaints every year about illegal fireworks, and their use disturbs the “peace, tranquility and well-being” of residents and their pets, says a new ordinance that had a first reading this week by the Dayton City Commission.
The ordinance says Dayton has seen a proliferation of fireworks set off in its neighborhoods in the past several years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and illegal fireworks pose a threat to public safety because they can cause injuries and property damage.
Dayton could join some other Ohio communities that have already passed or are considering measures that are intended to ban fireworks activities or reaffirm existing restrictions.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine last month signed legislation into law that permits people to set off consumer-grade fireworks on 20 days throughout the year, including holidays like the Fourth of July, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Ohio law had allowed people to purchase consumer fireworks in the state, but buyers were required to transport them out of state within 48 hours. Many people did not follow the law and set fireworks off within state boundaries.
The new state law lifting the current statewide ban on fireworks will not take effect until July, said John Musto, Dayton’s deputy law director.
Musto said the proposed city ban only applies to consumer-grade fireworks — novelties, wire sparklers and trick noisemakers are still permitted.
Proposed penalty for fireworks violations will be a minor misdemeanor charge, Musto said. Subsequent offenses within a 12-month period would be a fourth degree misdemeanor.
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