Madera County, CA Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- Dangerous fireworks
- Sale banned outright countywide
- Safe-and-sane sales
- Permit required, eligible nonprofits only
- Discharge window
- 5 p.m.-11 p.m., June 28-July 5
- SRA foothill/mountain zone
- All discharge banned
- Stand limit
- One per 4,000 county residents
- First-offense fine
- $1,000, escalating to $10,000
- Current chapter
- Ordinance No. 529B, adopted April 8, 2025
Summary
Madera County bans the sale of dangerous fireworks outright and allows safe-and-sane fireworks sales only to eligible nonprofit organizations that hold a Fire Chief permit. Discharge is confined to June 28 through July 5, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and is banned entirely within the county's State Responsibility Area foothill and mountain fire zone. Violators face escalating fines up to $10,000 per occurrence.
A.It shall be unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale any dangerous fireworks in the County.B.It shall be unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale any safe and sane fireworks in the County without first obtaining a permit therefor. [...] D.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... 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 CAL FIRE has fire suppression responsibility. [...] All responsible persons shall be personally liable for an administrative fine of one thousand dollars per occurrence. [...] First offense: $1,000. Second offense: $5,000. Third and subsequent offenses: $10,000.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 52).
Full Breakdown
36, Fireworks, was substantially rewritten by Ordinance No. ) from 'safe and sane fireworks' under Health and Safety Code § 12529. 030. Only 'eligible organizations,' non-profit charitable, religious, civic, patriotic, or community-service groups headquartered in and serving Madera County for at least one year (or five years under a narrower exception), qualify, and for-profit sellers granted 2024 permits keep a grandfathered right to renew. 050. 070. on the days safe-and-sane fireworks may legally be sold, generally June 28 through July 5, must stay at least ten feet from any inhabited structure, and is banned entirely within the county's mapped 'State Responsibility Area,' the CAL FIRE-protected foothill and mountain zone, with maps posted at every county fire station. Adults supervising minors who discharge safe-and-sane fireworks must be at least eighteen.
Violations & Fines
Under § 9.36.140, a responsible person violating any part of Chapter 9.36 is guilty of a misdemeanor under Chapter 1.12 and can also be issued an administrative citation under Chapter 8.01, with escalating personal fines of $1,000 for a first offense, $5,000 for a second within twelve months, and $10,000 for a third or later offense; each day and each separate discharge counts separately, and violators are also liable for law enforcement and fire department response costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy fireworks in unincorporated Madera County?
When can I legally set off fireworks in Madera County?
What happens if I set off fireworks in the foothill fire zone?
Who can get a permit to sell fireworks in Madera County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madera County
How Madera County compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·California rules heatmap·Compare Madera County to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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