As the holidays approach, it's a good time to review California state and local laws relating to fireworks. While few people set off fireworks over Thanksgiving, many do on New Year's Eve and some find themselves facing criminal charges because they don't know what's legal and what isn't.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has an extensive compilation of the text of California's fireworks laws in a report titled Laws and Regulations for Transportation, Use, and Storage of Fireworks in California. A searchable database of fireworks laws, and all California laws, can be found at www.leginfo.ca.gov, the Official California Legislative Information website.
While California's fireworks laws have many details, the broad outline is simple.
- Consumer fireworks approved by the State Fire Marshall as "safe and sane" may be sold to the general public only between June 28 and July 6.
- State law does not impose limits on when consumer fireworks may be used.
- Counties and cities, however, have the authority to impose more stringent limits on consumer fireworks, including limiting their sale and use and instituting an outright ban.
- All other fireworks - those classified as dangerous by the State Fire Marshall - may not be sold to the general public, and people who possess and use them face criminal charges.
- Fireworks that contain arsenic sulfide, magnesium, zirconium, and numerous other chemicals
- Firecrackers, skyrockets, roman candles, chasers, large sparklers
- Any other firework that the State Fire Marshall deems "unsafe for use by any person not specially qualified or trained in the use of fireworks"
As mentioned above, local governments may enact more restrictive regulations on the sale, possession, and use of fireworks, and the Sacramento region is a patchwork of different policies. For example, "safe and sane" consumer fireworks may be sold and used in Roseville but are illegal in unincorporated areas of Placer County, including Granite Bay. In the city of Sacramento, approved consumer fireworks may be used only between June 28 and July 4, while El Dorado County bans consumer fireworks altogether.
Fireworks displays - like you see at the State Fair or Disneyland - require a special license issued by the State Fire Marshall, approval of local authorities, and insurance.
As the end of the year approaches, take the time to understand the state and local laws regarding fireworks.
