The Village of Lake George has experienced significant problems with the discharge of noise-producing products known as "snaps," "pop-its," fireworks and similar products. Such products have caused reactions and harm to the public as the products release a loud bang sound similar to a gunshot and also leave behind litter due to the paper wrapping around these small products. The Village has received countless complaints from the sounds of these products as well as the litter to municipal property, sidewalks and parks because of their minute pieces which are impossible to completely clean up. These effects have been confirmed by members of the public, property owners, and the Village Department of Public Works. It is the intent of this new chapter of the Code of the Village of Lake George to protect the public's health, safety and welfare.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lake George 9-22-2025 by L.L. No. 7-2025. Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Any individual, corporation, not-for-profit corporation, partnership, limited-liability company, or any other entity.
An amusement product that has a small amount of explosive wrapped in paper or other product that has a "snap" sound when thrown, hit or stepped on, also known as "throw snappers," "pop-its," "party snaps," or similar names or identifying properties.
Effective October 1, 2025, no person, corporation or entity shall sell or offer to sell snaps in the Village of Lake George.
No person shall discharge snaps in or along any street, sidewalk, park, public parking lot, places of business or other public places in the Village of Lake George.
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be guilty of a violation and shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $250 or imprisonment for a term not to exceed 15 days, or both. Each instance of violation of this chapter shall be considered a separate violation.
The section numbers, chapter number, references to this chapter as a chapter of code, and structure of this chapter may be renumbered, realigned and codified as part of inclusion in the Code of the Village of Lake George. No such renumbering, realignment or codification shall be deemed to impair the legality of the content of this chapter.
If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part of this chapter or the application thereof to any person, individual, corporation, firm, partnership, entity, or circumstance shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional, such order or judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part of this chapter, or in its application to the person, individual, corporation, firm, partnership, entity, or circumstance directly involved in the controversy in which such order or judgment shall be rendered.
This chapter shall take effect upon filing with the New York State Secretary of State.