The city of Columbus has added Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, to its list of dates on which residents can use consumer fireworks.
Previously, the city of Columbus only allowed residents to use consumer fireworks during dates and times allowed by state statute.
The Columbus City Council passed an ordinance Tuesday amending the local fireworks code on second and final reading.
The ordinance adds “between the hours of 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. the day before, the day of, and the day after Diwali” to the list of allowed times for consumer fireworks. It also updates the code to fix a discrepancy in regards to compliance with state regulations, according to attorney Alex Whitted.
“The city council provided a resolution late last year that allowed for the use of consumer fireworks for purposes of celebrating Diwali,” Whitted said earlier. “And so this ordinance would codify that ability into our local municipal code.”
The ordinance has been vetted by the ordinance review committee and incorporates feedback from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Whitted said.
The new city ordinance states that consumer fireworks may only be used:
Between the hours of 5 p.m. and two hours after sunset on June 29 through July 3 and July 5 through July 9, however, regardless of what time sunset occurs, no later than 11 p.m.
Between the hours of 10 a.m. and midnight on July 4 and Dec. 31.
Between the hours of 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. the day before, the day of, and the day after Diwali.
To watch a video of the city council meeting, visit columbus.in.gov/.
