Contra Costa County Ordinance Code Chapter 44-2 (as amended by Ordinance 2021-19) and Section 5601.1.3 of the County Fire Code (Ord. 2025-14) prohibit the possession, manufacture, sale, offer for sale, use, and discharge of all fireworks in unincorporated areas, including state-classified 'safe and sane' fireworks. There is no carve-out for the Fourth of July.
Under County Ordinance Code Section 44-2.004 (Prohibition): 'No person shall possess, manufacture, sell, offer to sell, use, or discharge, any fireworks.' Section 44-2.002 defines 'fireworks' to include both 'dangerous fireworks' (Health & Safety Code Section 12505) and 'safe and sane fireworks' (Health & Safety Code Section 12529), but excludes 'exempt fireworks' (Section 12508) and party poppers/snap caps. Section 44-2.008 imposes liability on the 'responsible party' — any owner, renter, lessee, or person controlling access to a residence or vessel — even if they are not present when the violation occurs. Section 14-8.008(d)(5) vests the Sheriff with infraction-citation authority for Chapter 44-2 violations.
Per the June 8, 2021 Board of Supervisors press release on Ordinance 2021-19, a violation carries a $100 fine for the first offense, $200 for a second within one year, and $500 for each additional violation within one year. Property owners are liable even when absent. Section 5601.1.3.3 of the adopted Fire Code also authorizes any Fire Official or peace officer to arrest violators as an infraction or administrative citation.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Contra Costa County, CA
Contra Costa County, CA
Gas and electric lawn equipment in unincorporated Contra Costa County may generally be operated between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM on weekdays and 8:00 AM to 5:00 P...
Contra Costa County, CA
Contra Costa County, CA
Contra Costa County's Division 430 establishes an abatement program for abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles on public or private property...
Contra Costa County, CA
Parking on any street or highway with a grade exceeding three percent in a business or residential district requires setting the brakes and blocking the whee...
Contra Costa County, CA
Contra Costa County has no county-wide ordinance prohibiting overnight parking on public roads in unincorporated areas. The general 72-hour limit in Sec. 46-...
See how Contra Costa County's fireworks rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.