On April 9, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors adopted significant amendments to the county’s fireworks regulations. These changes are designed to better control the sale and use of fireworks, and introduce stricter penalties for violations.
Key changes to the fireworks ordinance include:
- A shortened selling period for fireworks, now set from noon on June 28 to the end of July 4, previously extending to July 5.
- A prohibition on the use of all fireworks, including those approved by the state, between 10 p.m. and 9 a.m. during the authorized selling period.
- A new requirement for vendors to provide customers with information on safe disposal methods at the point of sale.
The ordinance also substantially increases fines related to the use of fireworks at schools and parks:
- The first violation will now incur a $1,000 fine.
- A second violation within one year of the first will result in a $2,500 fine.
- Any additional violations within a year of the first will see fines rise to $5,000 each.
- Violations occurring within the American River Parkway, all parks, and all schools will attract a hefty $10,000 fine per incident.
These amendments stem from recommendations by the staff and suggestions from the Countywide Fireworks Taskforce. The task force held its Enforcement After Action Review on October 24, 2023, which led to several meetings of the Illegal Fireworks Taskforce from November 2023 through February 2024, focusing on deterring illegal fireworks sales and usage.
