Shasta County, CA Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)

Shasta County Code Chapter 8.12 (Fireworks) governs fireworks in the unincorporated county. Section 8.12.010 makes it 'unlawful for any person, firm, association, or corporation to possess, discharge, or ignite any firecracker, detonating contrivance, bomb or fireworks of any kind or description within the boundaries of the county of Shasta, without first having obtained a permit ... from the county fire warden,' and separately prohibits selling or distributing fireworks without a fire warden permit. Unlike some neighboring counties (such as Tehama), Shasta County does not allow 'safe and sane' fireworks for general public use, and fire officials publicly state that even sparklers are illegal. The ban rests on the county ordinance backed by the California State Fireworks Law (Health and Safety Code sections 12500 et seq.), under which 'dangerous' fireworks are illegal statewide. Permits are reserved for licensed public displays. Section 8.12.040 sets the penalty: a violation is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than ten dollars and not more than two hundred fifty dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail of not less than five days and not more than three months, or both. In addition, a person who starts a wildfire can be held financially responsible for the cost of the response under state law. Enforcement during the Fourth of July period is shared by CAL FIRE/Shasta County Fire and local law enforcement.