File photo

File photo

All fireworks will be illegal in unincorporated King County in 2022

Fireworks will be illegal in unincorporated parts of King County starting in 2022 after the King County Council approved a ban on April 27 with a 5-4 vote.

The legislation was sponsored by council members Joe McDermott and Claudia Balducci, and will ban all types of fireworks including sparklers and smoke bombs. Violating this law would be a misdemeanor.

McDermott in a press release cited a 2019 house fire in White Center that killed a 70-year-old man, two dogs and displaced 12 residents of a neighboring home. The fire was caused by fireworks.

“It is past time for King County to do what most cities and parks have already done. People in unincorporated King County deserve the same protections as those living in cities,” McDermott said in a press release.

The press release also cites wildfire concerns as well as injury and property damage as reasons for the ban. It states that fireworks present a clear public risk and safety hazard.

“Personal safety, fire safety, and distress to people and pets are some of the good reasons many King County cities have adopted firework regulations,” Balducci said in the press release. “It just makes sense to expand these protections to our King County residents.”

The release states that families can still watch permitted fireworks shows. State law requires a one-year waiting period before the ban can take effect, so this July 4 will be the last one that residents of unincorporated King County can legally light their own fireworks.

However, there are already some restrictions on what kinds of fireworks are allowed. For more information on what is currently legal in unincorporated King County, check here: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/local-services/news/2020/20200626-Fireworks-safety.aspx


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Northwest

Auburn Riverside High School. COURTESY PHOTO, Auburn School District
Student brings gun to Auburn Riverside High School

Auburn Police arrest 15-year-old for unlawful gun possession; gun was unloaded

Gov. Jay Inslee, left, with First Lady Trudi Inslee at a press conference advocating for laws to prevent gun violence. (Provided by the Washington State Governors’ Office)
House Democrats push Washington closer to assault weapons ban

Their bill outlawing the manufacture and sale of certain guns passed the state House. No Republican voted for it.

Decatur High School in Federal Way. COURTESY PHOTO, Federal Way Public Schools
Federal Way Police arrest Decatur High security guard for sexual misconduct

Man allegedly committed sexual misconduct with a female student

Courtesy Photo, WIld Waves Theme and Water Park
Wild Waves in Federal Way seeks to fill 700 positions for summer season

Hiring event set for Tuesday, March 14 at WorkSource in Tacoma; can also apply online

Five people were injured in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday night, March 7 in Renton. COURTESY PHOTO, Renton Police
Four juveniles injured after late-night collision in Renton

18-year-old man reportedly ran a red light in a stolen vehicle on Rainier Avenue

File photo
Man shot, injured at Fred Meyer parking lot in Renton

Police report the man was found with a head wound and is in ‘critical condition.’

Screenshot from King County TV
State of the County: Constantine discusses homelessness, environment, cameras for deputies

On March 7, King County Executive Dow Constantine gave his “State of… Continue reading

File photo: A sign at a Cal Anderson Park reproductive rights protest on May 14, 2022, in Seattle.
Legislation seeks to strenghten Washington’s abortion laws

OLYMPIA — A day after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v.… Continue reading