The purpose of this article, and the policy of Spring City Borough, shall be to prohibit the intentional release, or organization of the release, of balloons into the atmosphere. The ungoverned release of balloons filled with lighter-than-air gas into the air poses substantial environmental risks, including risks to wildlife, as well as to the health, safety, and welfare of persons and property. The Spring City Borough Council believes it is in the best interests of the Borough, its residents, the surrounding area, and the environment to prohibit, except in limited circumstances, the intentional release of balloons filled with helium and other lighter-than-air gases into the environment.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Spring City as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 10-6-2025 by Ord. No. 585]
A bag made of a light material such as latex or Mylar, inflated with a lighter-than-air gas.
Spring City Borough.
Any branch, subdivision, or agency of the federal or state government; political subdivision; or local authority.
The deliberate act of releasing a balloon into the atmosphere, including organizing or participating in any event where you are aware that any such release will occur.
It shall be unlawful for any person, organization, firm, or corporation to knowingly and intentionally release, organize the release, condone the release, or intentionally cause to be released, into the atmosphere of the Borough, any balloon inflated with a lighter-than-air gas.
An exception is i) a balloon released by or on behalf of any governmental agency or pursuant to a government contract for scientific or meteorological purposes; ii) hot-air balloons that are recovered after launch; or iii) the unintentional and accidental release of any balloon.
Any person who violates or permits a violation of this article shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, be guilty of a summary offense and shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, plus court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by the Borough in the enforcement proceedings. Upon judgment against any person by summary conviction, or by proceedings by summons on default of the payment of the fine or penalty imposed and the costs, the defendant may be sentenced and committed to the Borough correctional facility for a period not exceeding 10 days or to the county correctional facility for a period not exceeding 30 days. Each day that such violation exists shall constitute a separate offense, and each section of this chapter that is violated shall also constitute a separate offense. In addition to or in lieu of enforcement under this section, the Borough may enforce this article in equity in the Court of Common Pleas of Chester County.