Mylar Ordinance

Mylar Ordinance

On January 11, 2022, the Burbank City Council voted to implement Ordinance No. 22-3, 965 (“Mylar Ordinance”) to mitigate power outages caused by mylar balloons.

Mylar Balloons are the Leading Cause of Power Outages in Burbank

Mylar balloons are a safety hazard when they contact or come close to high-voltage power lines. The electricity between the powerline and the conductive material from mylar balloons can cause power outages, explosions, downed power lines, and damaged infrastructure. One mylar balloon has the potential to leave hundreds of residents and businesses in the community without power for up to an hour or more. This is why the Burbank City Council voted 5-0 to implement the Mylar Ordinance to mitigate power outages caused by mylar balloons.

Mylar Ordinance
The Mylar Ordinance is effective starting February 11, 2022. The ordinance prohibits the sale of mylar (metallic) balloons filled with helium or gas that is lighter than air. Mylar balloons may be sold if they are filled with air only, and are attached or mounted to a post or decorative structure at the point of sale.
Read Mylar Ordinance

Frequently Asked Questions

Mylar balloons, also known as metallic balloons, get their attractive shine from their metallic coating.

When filled with helium or other gases that are lighter than air, mylar balloons become a safety hazard because they are attracted to and float into powerlines. Since mylar is a type of metallic foil, it conducts electricity and causes power outages.

The Mylar Ordinance prohibits the sale of mylar (metallic) balloons filled with helium or gas that is lighter than air. Mylar balloons may be sold if they are filled with air only, and are attached or mounted to a post or decorative structure at the point of sale. Uninflated mylar balloons may not be sold.

View the Mylar Ordinance >
Mylar balloons are the leading cause of power outages in Burbank. Mylar balloons are a safety hazard when they contact or come close to high-voltage power lines. The electricity between the powerline and the conductive material from mylar balloons can cause power outages, explosions, downed power lines, and damaged infrastructure.

One mylar balloon has the potential to leave hundreds of residents and businesses in the community without power for up to an hour or more.

The Mylar Ordinance is effective on February 11, 2022.

No. The Mylar Ordinance only applies to mylar (metallic) balloons.

Yes. Mylar balloons can be sold/purchased in Burbank if they are filled will air only, and are attached or mounted to a post or decorative structure at the point of sale.

No. The Mylar Ordinance does not restrict the sale of helium tanks or latex balloons filled with helium air.

To properly dispose of mylar balloons filled with helium air, cut the balloon open to release any helium that is remaining inside. Empty mylar balloons can be discarded in your black trash bin.

You may sell mylar balloons filled with air and attached to a stick, mounted to a post or other decorative structure. They may not be sold inflated with gas lighter than air.

No. The Mylar Balloon Ordinance specifically prohibits the sale of mylar balloons whether or not inflated with gas which is lighter than air.

Our goal is to provide education on the new Mylar Ordinance and obtain voluntary compliance from business owners. Administrative Citations may be issued for Mylar Ordinance violations, please see the Burbank Municipal Code BMC Section 1-1-105 and Section 1-1-108.1.

See Burbank Municipal Code >

The City of Burbank makes safety violations a priority. If a business repeatedly does not comply with the Mylar Ordinance, then the business is subject to fines.

If you see a business not complying with the Mylar Ordinance, please report the incident to the City of Burbank using the online form, by email at [email protected], or by phone at (818) 238-5225.

For questions about Mylar Ordinance enforcement, please contact the City of Burbank Code Enforcement by email at [email protected] or phone at (818) 238-5225.