This coming July 4 will be the last time residents can legally shoot off personal fireworks in Vancouver.

On Monday, the Vancouver City Council unanimously voted to ban personal fireworks sales and use within city limits. The new law will be in effect starting in 2017 because, under state law, any changes in fireworks regulations require 365 days’ notice.

“It’s probably the toughest decision I’ve made on the city council in 12 years,” Councilor Larry Smith said. “Things change. This is not the city of 20 years ago. … I think the time has come to make a tough decision in the name of safety and our community.”

A dozen people spoke at the council’s public hearing before the vote, and their stance on fireworks was split down the middle.

Fireworks advocates argued that the council should allow some manner of fireworks, or at least hold a public advisory vote.