King County Council approves fireworks ban in unincorporated areas
Apr 27, 2021, 5:11 PM | Updated: Apr 28, 2021, 7:59 am
Fireworks in King County's unincorporated White Center neighborhood on July 4, 2020.
Beginning in 2022, fireworks will be illegal in unincorporated King County.
Advisory vote on fireworks band in unincorporated SnoCo passing
The county council passed on Tuesday legislation, sponsored by councilmembers Joe McDermott and Claudia Balducci, that bans all types of fireworks, including sparklers and smoke bombs.
“While there are plenty of good reasons to support a full ban on consumer fireworks, I am driven by the tragic loss of life and property in White Center in 2019,” McDermott said. “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.”
According to the council, a 70-year-old man and his two dogs died in 2019 in a White Center house fire that was the result of fireworks. Additionally, 12 other people in a neighboring home were displaced. The council also cited wildfires triggered by fireworks, some of which caused millions of dollars in damage.
Where you can and can’t set off fireworks
Pet owners, people with PTSD, and fire commissioners have made the case that fireworks are dangerous to the public.
“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. “It just makes sense to expand these protections to our King County residents.”
The council urged residents to enjoy a sanctioned fireworks display typically designed for Independence Day and New Year’s Eve.
The law requires a one-year waiting period before the ban can take effect.
