Costa Mesa, CA Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Director of finance, § 9-180
- Applicant eligibility
- Nonprofit/school, 80% city residents
- Application deadline
- June 1, § 9-183
- Sale window
- June 30 to 9 p.m. July 4, § 9-190(d)
- Discharge window
- July 2-4, 4-10 p.m., § 9-190(e)
- Insurance required
- $1,000,000, § 9-189
- Stand setback
- 100 ft from gas pumps, Fire Code § 5609.2
Summary
Costa Mesa allows 'safe and sane' fireworks sales only by nonprofit youth organizations and schools holding a Section 9-180 permit from the director of finance, and only between June 30 and 9:00 p.m. on July 4. Discharge is limited to July 2 through July 4, 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and dangerous fireworks are banned outright.
No person shall possess, discharge, sell or offer for sale, any fireworks within the city which are classified as dangerous fireworks as those terms are defined by the California Health and Safety Code. No person shall sell or offer for sale fireworks within the city without first having obtained a Retail Fireworks License from the Office of the State Fire Marshal as required under the laws of the State. No person shall sell or offer for sale fireworks within the city to a person under the age of 18 years. No person shall sell or offer for sale fireworks within the city unless such sale occurs between June 30th and 9:00 p.m. on July 4th, inclusive. No person shall discharge any fireworks of any kind within the city, except on the dates of July 2nd through July 4th between 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. on such days. No person under the age of 18 years shall discharge any fireworks unless in the presence of an adult.
Full Breakdown
Article 8 of Title 9 lets only 'safe and sane' fireworks (those bearing the state fire marshal's safety label) be sold in Costa Mesa, and only under a permit the director of finance issues under Section 9-180. Section 9-181 limits eligible permittees to bona fide nonprofit organizations or schools formed to benefit the city's youth, located within Costa Mesa or drawing at least half their students from the city, and non-school applicants must have at least 80% of their current membership residing within city limits.
Applications are due by June 1 under Section 9-183, are valid only for the location and dates listed, and cannot be transferred or renewed. Section 9-186 requires a permit fee and a separate fireworks clean-up fee set by council resolution, Section 9-188 requires a cash bond to guarantee the stand and debris are removed by midnight on July 7, and Section 9-189 requires $1,000,000 in combined public liability and property insurance before the stand goes up. on July 2, 3 and 4. 5 ban smoking or open flame within 50 feet of any stand.
Violations & Fines
Article 8 does not set its own criminal penalty, so a fireworks violation is enforced through Costa Mesa's citywide penalty scheme in Section 1-33: prosecution as an infraction, with fines up to $100 for a first offense and up to $500 for repeat offenses within a year, or as a misdemeanor carrying a fine up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail. Selling to a minor, discharging outside the permitted dates, or possessing dangerous fireworks under Section 9-190 are each separately chargeable violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can get a fireworks stand permit in Costa Mesa?
When can fireworks legally be discharged in Costa Mesa?
How much insurance does a Costa Mesa fireworks stand need?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Costa Mesa
How Costa Mesa compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·California rules heatmap·Compare Costa Mesa to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Fireworks in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Orange County handle fireworks.