Madera County, CA Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)

Chapter 9.36, Fireworks, was substantially rewritten by Ordinance No. 529B on April 8, 2025, and now separates 'dangerous fireworks' (defined by the State Fireworks Law, Health and Safety Code §§ 12500 et seq.) from 'safe and sane fireworks' under Health and Safety Code § 12529. Section 9.36.020 bans the sale of dangerous fireworks in the county outright and makes it unlawful to sell safe-and-sane fireworks without first obtaining a Fire Chief permit under § 9.36.030. 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.

Applications are due at the Fire Department by 5:00 p.m. on the first regular business day in May, and stands must clear flammable material within thirty feet, bar smoking within twenty-five feet, post red-lettered 'No Smoking' signs, keep a certified fire extinguisher on hand, and be dismantled within three days of the close of sales under § 9.36.050. Only one stand is allowed per four thousand county residents, and stands may sit only on non-residentially zoned land under § 9.36.070. Discharge under § 9.36.120 is confined to 5:00 p.m. through 11:00 p.m. 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.