Fire departments across Southern California are posting about fireworks safety this week. While some are advising pyrotechnic lovers to use fireworks safely, others are saying they’re outright illegal. So, what’s the law?
Here’s all you need to know about how to enjoy the “rocket’s red glare” safely in SoCal this Fourth of July.
Are fireworks legal in California?
Kind of.
California bans fireworks that explode, go in the air and move uncontrollably on the ground. These so-called illegal fireworks include sky rockets, bottle rockets, aerial shells and firecrackers.
The law regarding other types of fireworks varies from city to city. In some California cities, there is a zero tolerance policy for all fireworks. But in others, “safe and sane” fireworks — which are non-explosive and non-projectile — are allowed.
How can I check if my city allows “safe and sane” fireworks?
Check out our list of SoCal cities that permit “safe and sane” fireworks:
Los Angeles County: Alhambra, Artesia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bellflower, Commerce, Compton, Cudahy, Downey, El Monte, Gardena, Hawaiian Gardens, Hawthorne, Huntington Park, Industry, Irwindale, La Mirada, La Puente, Lakewood, Lawndale, Lynwood, Maywood, Montebello, Monterey Park, Norwalk, Palmdale, Paramount, Pico Rivera, Rosemead, Sante Fe Springs, South El Monte, South Gate, Temple City and Vernon.
Orange County: Anaheim, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Los Alamitos, Orange, Santa Ana, Stanton, Villa Park and Westminster.
Riverside County: Blythe, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs and Indio.
Ventura County: Fillmore.
Imperial County: All cities permit “safe and sane” fireworks.
San Diego County: No cities permit “safe and sane” fireworks
San Bernardino County: Adelanto, Barstow, Chino, Colton, Needles and Rialto (as well as in specific locations in Fontana, Grand Terrace and San Bernardino).
Kern County: All cities permit “safe and sane” fireworks.
Santa Barbara County: Guadalupe, Lompoc and Santa Maria.
San Luis Obispo County: Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach and Morro Bay.
All fireworks are illegal in unincorporated communities, though there are some exceptions: in Kern County, “safe and sane” fireworks are only banned in unincorporated mountain communities, and certain counties may allow you to light fireworks in unincorporated regions if you have a permit.
Some cities have ordinances with additional restrictions, so be sure to check your city’s website for more information.
Why are fireworks dangerous?
Because they’re unpredictable.
Fireworks can go off randomly, go off in the wrong direction and cause much larger explosions than you may expect — particularly if they’re illegal or homemade. They also burn at incredibly high temperatures, with some reaching 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
When fireworks explode, they also release gases like carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, which, if inhaled, is very harmful to the lungs — and the environment. If you’re working with or watching fireworks this Friday, try and avoid the smoke by staying upwind and indoors whenever possible, and monitoring air quality reports.
Fireworks can also start larger blazes.
Sean Doran, a fire captain and public information officer for the Orange County Fire Authority, said fires started by fireworks are “completely preventable.”
“[The] first line of defense in preventing these fires is by not using these fireworks and attending professional, city-sponsored shows,” Doran said.
For those who still plan to set off “safe and sane” fireworks, Doran gave the following tips:
- Have a water source easily available to douse unexpected flares and submerge fireworks after use.
- Avoid lighting fireworks near vehicles, houses, pets or children.
- Avoid lighting fragments of fireworks you see on the ground, even if they seem to have an unlit fuse — they may instantaneously explode once lit. Instead, leave the fragment where it is, and call for professionals to remove it.
- Do not let children handle fireworks or touch firework fragments.
Doran said that in 2023, Orange County saw 46 firework-related injuries and $181,000 in reported firework-caused property damage. In 2024, there were 66 injuries and $1.6 million in property damage.
“Nobody ever wakes up thinking… they're going to cause harm to a family member, to a friend, to a neighbor, to a home, to the wildland — nobody thinks that, but every year, it happens,” Doran said. “I don’t want anyone on the night of the Fourth of July to go to bed thinking, ‘What did I just do?”
Where can I buy “safe and sane” fireworks?
You can buy fireworks in person at state-authorized firework stands. Some cities only permit “safe and sane” firework sales on specific days and at specific times, so be sure to check that information for your city.
If you’re looking to buy fireworks online, here are some sellers that will ship “safe and sane” fireworks to California. But be warned: shipping takes several days, so you might want to bookmark these for next year’s Independence Day:
- Pyro Direct ships to the West Coast in 5-7 business days. While they don’t have an explicit “safe and sane” fireworks category, narrow your search to the ‘sparklers’ and ‘novelties’ categories — most fireworks there should fall under the “safe and sane” standard.
- Wholesale Sparklers ships to California in approximately 5 business days.
- OC Fireworks (and nope, not the OC you’re thinking of) has several fireworks options that can ship to California — check either the “safe and sane” or “low cost shipping” categories to find fireworks that are shippable to the state.
If you order non-legal fireworks across state lines, border authorities may confiscate them.
What are the repercussions of owning illegal fireworks?
If you’re caught with illegal fireworks, you’ll be charged with a misdemeanor, and will be fined between $1,000 and $2,000 or face up to one year in jail, or both.
And that’s just for possessing under 25 pounds of fireworks: as the weight goes up, fines can reach up to $100,000.
How can I enjoy fireworks if my city bans them?
Check out our list of venues to watch fireworks shows put on by cities and various organizations — as well as find some unconventional ways to celebrate the Fourth of July this year.
