Kent voters want fireworks ban

The majority of Kent voters want to ban fireworks in the city.

In an advisory proposition on Tuesday’s ballot, 66.47 percent (6,382 votes) said yes to a fireworks ban while 33.53 percent (3,220) opposed a ban.

“I was surprised it was that big of a difference,” said City Council President Dana Ralph during a phone interview on Tuesday night. “But we were looking for what the voters wanted and it’s pretty clear what they want.”

Proposition 1 is only an advisory vote to the council. The council will use the results of the vote to help determine whether to ban fireworks in the city. Any new ordinance passed by the council would not apply to the city’s Fourth of July Splash fireworks display at Lake Meridian or any other permitted display.

Ralph said the council’s Public Safety Committee will consider a ban first before the proposal moves to the full council.

Even if the council approves a ban before the end of the year or early next year, the law wouldn’t be on the books until 2017.

State law allows fireworks sales and use on certain hours between June 28 and July 5. According to state law, any ordinance adopted by a county or city that is more restrictive than the state shall have an effective date no sooner than one year after its adoption.

The question on the ballot read, “Shall the sale, possession and discharge of consumer fireworks be prohibited in the city of Kent?”

Numerous complaints from residents to the council over the last few years about fireworks going off in their neighborhoods before, during and after the Fourth of July caused the council to consider a ban and ask for the advisory vote.

Kent city code allows people to purchase and possess legal fireworks from June 28 to July 4, but fireworks can only be discharged from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4. Violators of the code must pay a $250 fine.