San Mateo County, CA Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- Scope
- Unincorporated County, except Colma Fire Protection District
- Display permit lead time
- 10 days advance application
- Base admin fine
- $1,000 per violation
- Misdemeanor exposure
- Up to 6 months jail
- Spectator liability
- Fine for being present within 200 ft
Summary
Possessing, selling, or exploding any fireworks is unlawful in unincorporated San Mateo County unless a Fire Warden permits a supervised public display.
Except as hereinafter provided, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess, store, to offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail or use or explode any fireworks, provided that any Fire Protection District or County Fire Warden shall have power to adopt reasonable rules and regulations for the granting of permits within the geographic area of their responsibility and authority for supervised public displays of fireworks by a local government, fair association, amusement park, or other organization, or for the use of fireworks by artisans in pursuit of their trade. Every such use or display shall be handled by a competent operator approved by the Fire Chief of said area or the County Fire Warden, and shall be of such character and so located, discharged or fired so as, in the opinion of the Fire Chief or County Fire Warden after proper investigation, not to be hazardous to property or endanger any person.(c)Applications shall be made in writing at least ten (10) days in advance of the date of the display to the Fire Chief or County Fire Warden. After such privilege shall be granted, sale, possession, use and distribution of fireworks for such display shall be lawful for that purpose only. No permit granted hereunder shall be transferable. (Prior code § 5125.2; Ord. 1181, 09/11/56; Ord. 2433, 05/10/77; Ord. 2572, 03/20/79; Ord. 3062, 04/22/86)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 47).
Full Breakdown
County Ordinance Code Chapter 5.28 adopts the State Fireworks Law but bans possession, sale, and use of fireworks outright in the unincorporated area (Section 5.28.020 excepts the unincorporated area served by the Colma Fire Protection District). Only supervised public displays approved and permitted by the Fire Chief or County Fire Warden, applied for at least 10 days in advance, are lawful. Violators face administrative citations plus, for harmful violations, misdemeanor charges.
Violations & Fines
Administrative citation of $1,000 per violation ($500 for a first-offense spectator); up to $2,000 near schools, day cares or if alcohol is involved; misdemeanor if the violation causes injury or over $1,000 property damage, punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and/or 6 months in County jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set off fireworks at home in unincorporated San Mateo County?
What happens if I'm caught watching an illegal fireworks show?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Mateo County
How San Mateo County compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·California rules heatmap·Compare San Mateo County to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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