The city of Ypsilanti has banned consumer fireworks after receiving numerous complaints from residents about excessive noise. However, fireworks will be allowed on national holidays, the day before a national holiday and the day after a national holiday.
The City of Ypsilanti will consider an ordinance banning fireworks except on national holidays.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com file photo
The Ypsilanti City Council voted 6-1 Tuesday to ban fireworks in its first reading of the ordinance.
In 2011, the state passed the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act, abolishing the previous statewide prohibition against consumer fireworks.
Section seven of the state law allows municipalities to regulate the use of fireworks, but only for days that aren't national holidays or the day before and after one.
The law already has certain requirements and prohibitions relating to the use of consumer fireworks, including requiring permission from property owners, prohibiting sales to minors, and prohibiting their use under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
City Attorney John Barr said Ypsilanti Township has a similar ordinance in place.
Council Member Brian Robb voted against the ordinance revision, asking who would be able to enforce the ban. Robb said that's what the current noise ordinance is for.
Council Member Susan Moeller said dozens of her neighbors complained during the summer about fireworks and neighbors were upset about them set off at all times of the day. Moeller said she's lived in the city for about nine years and this past summer was the worst in terms of noise being made.
"There were some fireworks on Christmas Day at 10 p.m. at night," said Council Member Ricky Jefferson. "During the Fourth of July month they were blasting until 3 a.m. in the morning. When it comes to disturbing the peace something has to be regulated."
City Manager Ralph Lange said the ordinance revision may be something difficult to enforce, given the current resources of the police department.
"We are going to try to build the departments," Lange said. "We are going to try to cost effectively rebuild the department."
Katrease Stafford covers Ypsilanti for AnnArbor.com.Reach her at katreasestafford@annarbor.com or 734-623-2548 and follow her on twitter.