Merced County, CA Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- Dangerous fireworks
- Banned countywide, no exceptions
- Safe and sane sale dates
- Noon June 28 to 10 p.m. July 4
- Stand permit fee
- $400 nonrefundable, filed Feb 1-Apr 1
- Discharge hours
- 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on sale days only
- SRA foothills/mountains
- All fireworks banned, no exception
- First-offense fine
- Up to $1,000 plus jail time
Summary
Merced County bans every "dangerous firework" countywide under Chapter 9.26 and allows only permitted "safe and sane" sales during a short summer window. Nonprofits must hold a $400 county fire chief permit to run a stand, and no fireworks of any kind, safe and sane included, may be discharged inside the State Responsibility Area covering the county's foothills and mountains.
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no person shall possess, sell, use, display or explode any "dangerous fireworks" including, but not limited to, any rocket, firecracker, roman candle, squib, torpedo, wire core sparkler, wooden core sparkler, black cartridge, aerial shell or other combustible device or explosive substance or any kind of fireworks, by whatsoever name known, or any altered safe and sane fireworks within Merced County. ... It is unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale, give away, have in his or her possession, fire, set off, discharge, or use, or cause or permit to be sold any safe and sane fireworks as defined under this chapter and Health and Safety Code Section 12529, within the unincorporated area of the county known as the "State Responsibility Area" ("SRA") designated by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) in the foothills and mountains of the county within which the CAL FIRE has fire suppression responsibility.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4930839; v8 updated 2026-06-02).
Full Breakdown
020 makes it unlawful to possess, sell, use, display or explode any dangerous firework, including rockets, firecrackers, roman candles, torpedoes and aerial shells, anywhere in the county. 030 carves out only "safe and sane" (state-approved) fireworks defined under Health and Safety Code Sections 12529 and 12562. 060, pay a nonrefundable $400 fee, file between February 1 and April 1, and carry $2,000,000/$5,000,000 liability insurance naming the county as additional insured. 060(E)). m. 140). 140(D) bans all safe and sane fireworks, without exception, inside the unincorporated State Responsibility Area that CAL FIRE designates in the county's foothills and mountains; SRA maps are posted at county fire stations. 150).
Violations & Fines
Most violations of Chapter 9.26 are misdemeanors under Section 9.26.180, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 for a first offense, $2,000 for a second offense within one year, and $3,000 for a third within one year, plus up to six months in county jail; each day a violation continues is a separate offense. Operational infractions under Sections 9.26.100 and 9.26.120 are cited under Section 1.28.030 unless they threaten public safety, which triggers the misdemeanor penalty instead. The county fire chief may also seize any fireworks held, sold or discharged in violation of the chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set off fireworks in unincorporated Merced County?
Are fireworks allowed near the foothills?
How does a nonprofit get a fireworks stand permit?
What are the penalties for illegal fireworks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Merced County
How Merced County compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·California rules heatmap·Compare Merced County to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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