Title
Recommendation to Provide Direction on an Ordinance to Ban the Sale and Distribution of Mylar Balloons in Alameda.
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this action is categorically exempt from further review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section ?15061(b)(3) (the commonsense exemption). (Alameda Municipal Power)
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To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
At its July 15, 2025, meeting, City Council directed staff to return with options for an ordinance to prohibit the sale and distribution of Mylar balloons in Alameda. Councilmembers expressed interest in understanding how other jurisdictions have approached this issue, directed staff to conduct outreach with local businesses that sell mylar balloons, explore enforcement mechanisms and a public education campaign. This report presents a framework for those options and outlines key decision points for City Council consideration of an ordinance.
Staff will place restrictions on use of mylar balloons as a condition to obtain any City of Alameda (City) event permit, including Citywide special event permits and park picnic and facility permits as well as expand the public education campaign on the hazards of mylar balloons to the power grid and the environment. This report provides information on an ordinance to ban the sale and distribution of mylar balloons in the City and enforcement protocols. If City Council directs establishing this Ordinance and provides direction on enforcement and other components, staff will return with the Ordinance at a later date.
BACKGROUND
AB 847 (2022) is a legislative measure enacted by the state of California to address the issues caused by conductive metallic balloons, commonly known as mylar balloons. The primary goal of this bill is to reduce the incidence of power outages and electrical hazards that occur when these balloons come into contact with power lines. The bill mand...
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