"Council Passes Fireworks Ban for Wimberley

The City Council at its January 3 meeting passed an ordinance banning the sale, possession and use of fireworks within the corporate limits of the Village of Wimberley.

The ordinance defines fireworks as firecrackers, skyrockets, torpedoes, roman candles, sparklers, fire balloons and all substances intended to obtain visible or audible effects by combustion, explosion or detonation.

The Village staff recommended the year round prohibition in the interest of public safety. The City Fire Marshal and the Wimberley Fire Chief both supported the ordinance. Previously, the city code allowed the sale, possession and use of fireworks within the city limits during certain times of the year and under certain conditions.

The new ordinance does not apply to fireworks displays designed to entertain the general public which have been approved by the fire marshal in advance and which are supervised by the fire marshal or his authorized representative. Such uses may be approved upon the issuance by the city of a Special Event Fireworks Permit.

Convictions of violations of this ordinance could mean a fine of up to $2000 for each occurence."