Chapter 5.28 of the Municipal Code authorizes locally based nonprofit tax-exempt organizations in good standing to apply for and receive temporary fireworks stand permits to display and sell fireworks during the 4th of July holiday.

Currently, the Code requires applications to be submitted by the third Monday of May of the year for which the permit is requested.  The proposed ordinance would change the due date to March 31st of each year.

Increased interest by new groups, new stand locations, and budget cuts leading to reduction in City staffing has made it difficult to process multiple applications to be issued well in advance of the July 4th holiday when all applicants are submitting their applications near the end of May.

Moving the due date approximately seven weeks will allow City staff a more appropriate period to process applications and review the submitted information for compliance with the Municipal Code and State Fire Marshall regulations. 

Extending the time will also allow sufficient time for the City Council to hear appeals of application denials in advance of the holiday.

That the City Council introduce for first reading, to be read by title only, the ordinance entitled:

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GARDEN GROVE REVISING SECTION 5.28.030 OF CHAPTER 5.28 OF TITLE 5 OF THE GARDEN GROVE MUNICIPAL CODE CHANGING THE DUE DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS FOR TEMPORARY FIREWORKS STAND PERMITS.