The Laguna Beach City Council voted unanimously Feb. 21 to finalize a ban on balloons in public, whether inflated or not.
Beginning in 2024, balloons cannot be sold or bought in the city, nor used on public property, but they can still be used by residents in private.
Penalties would be a $100 fine for the first violation, $200 for the second, and $500 for each thereafter within one year.
Businesses that repeatedly violate the ordinance may face the possibility of losing their business licenses, according to the ordinance.
The decision from the council, which was first voted unanimously on Jan. 24, comes as a means to reduce the risk of wildfires and eliminate trash floating on the city’s beaches.
Balloons made of metallic foil, also known as Mylar Balloons, can cause power outages, according to city officials.
Other balloons—made of rubber, latex, and the like—can damage ecosystems and wildlife when not disposed of properly, city officials said.
