Tulare County, CA Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- Foothills/mountains (SRA)
- All fireworks banned, incl. safe-and-sane (4-05-1075)
- Valley floor (LRA)
- Safe-and-sane allowed in July-4 window only (4-05-1076)
- Legal sale dates
- June 28 noon-11pm; June 29-July 4, 9am-11pm (4-05-1082)
- Who may sell
- Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits with county permit (4-05-1080/1081)
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor under Code Section 125; each day a separate offense
Summary
In unincorporated Tulare County, all fireworks are banned in the foothill/mountain State Responsibility Area. Only safe-and-sane fireworks are allowed on the valley floor (Local Responsibility Area), sold by permitted nonprofits during a short window around July 4. Dangerous fireworks are banned countywide. Violations are misdemeanors.
It is unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale or display for sale any Safe and Sane Fireworks within the unincorporated area of the County known as the Local Responsibility Area ('LRA') designated by Cal Fire on the valley floor within which the Tulare County Fire Department has fire suppression responsibility without first obtaining a permit from the County Fire Chief or his or her designee. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale, give away, have in possession, fire, set off, discharge or use any fireworks, including Safe and Sane Fireworks, within the LRA during the period of July 5 to noon on June 28 of each year.
Full Breakdown
Tulare County Ordinance Code Chapter 4-5 (Article 3, Fireworks), repealed and replaced by Ord. No. 3583 effective June 18, 2020, governs fireworks in the unincorporated county. Section 4-05-1050 makes 'dangerous fireworks' (Health & Safety Code 12505) unlawful to sell, possess, or discharge except as permitted by state law. Section 4-05-1075 makes it unlawful to sell, possess, or discharge ANY fireworks, including safe-and-sane, within the State Responsibility Area (SRA), the foothills and mountains where Cal Fire has suppression responsibility, and in any unincorporated island surrounded by a city. , legal only in that late-June-to-July-4 window). m. Maps of the SRA and LRA are posted at all County Fire Stations.
Violations & Fines
Selling, possessing, or discharging dangerous fireworks, or any fireworks (including safe-and-sane) within the SRA, is a misdemeanor under Section 4-05-1090, punishable as provided in Tulare County Ordinance Code Section 125; each day is a separate offense. Penalties are in addition to liabilities under Health & Safety Code 12700, 12702 and 13009 (fire-suppression cost recovery). A juvenile violator must complete a Tulare County Fire-approved youth firesetter prevention program. Selling in violation is also a public nuisance subject to abatement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set off safe-and-sane fireworks at my home in unincorporated Tulare County?
Are 'dangerous' fireworks like firecrackers, bottle rockets, or aerials ever legal here?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tulare County
How Tulare County compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·California rules heatmap·Compare Tulare County to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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