Only California State Fire Marshal-approved 'Safe and Sane' fireworks may be sold or used in Modesto, and only from noon June 28 through noon July 6 each year. All dangerous (aerial/explosive) fireworks are banned and the city imposes some of the steepest fines in California.
Modesto Municipal Code § 3-1.219 (which adopts and supplements CFC § 5608) restricts retail fireworks in the city to State Fire Marshal-approved 'Safe and Sane' devices and sets the lawful sales window: 12:00 noon to 10:00 p.m. on June 28; 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on June 29 through July 5; and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on July 6. Sales are permitted only from temporary fireworks stands, and only by local nonprofit organizations or pre-existing local for-profit operators that have continuously held permits since 1999 (§ 3-1.218). The city caps total annual sales permits at 70. Section 3-1.215 (incorporating CFC § 5604) makes it unlawful to possess, manufacture, sell, use, or discharge 'dangerous fireworks' (as defined in California Health & Safety Code § 12505) without a state pyrotechnic operator's license and a city permit. Section 3-1.217 categorically prohibits the manufacturing of fireworks within city limits.
Section 3-1.303 sets administrative penalties: manufacture or sale of dangerous fireworks - $10,000 per violation. Possession, use, or discharge of dangerous fireworks - $2,000 first violation, $3,000 second within 36 months, $4,000 subsequent within 36 months. All other Chapter 1 violations (including selling 'Safe and Sane' fireworks outside the legal window) - $500 / $1,000 / $1,500 escalating fines. Social host liability applies: the property owner or occupant can be cited even if not present (§ 3-1.303(c)-(d)). Section 3-1.304 also authorizes citizen-initiated third-party citations. The city additionally recovers full response costs (§ 3-1.305).
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