All fireworks - including state-approved 'safe and sane' fireworks sold in some neighboring cities - are illegal to use, possess, store, or sell anywhere in the City of Ontario. Possession and discharge are prohibited unless a permit is issued by the California State Fire Marshal and approved by the Ontario Fire Department, which is granted only to state-licensed pyrotechnicians.
The Ontario City Council adopted an ordinance in May 2007 prohibiting the use, storage, possession, or manufacture of ALL fireworks, explosives, and destructive devices, codified in Ontario Municipal Code Chapter 21 (Fireworks, Pyrotechnic Devices, Explosives, Destructive Devices or Their Components). The ordinance was revised in October 2015 to hold residential property owners responsible for violations occurring on their property and to hold parents and legal guardians responsible for violations committed by a minor. Separately, California Health and Safety Code section 12677 makes possession of 'dangerous fireworks' without a valid permit a misdemeanor statewide. Because Ontario bans even 'safe and sane' items, fireworks bought legally in another California city become illegal the moment they are brought into Ontario. Only state-licensed pyrotechnic operators with a permit from the State Fire Marshal, approved by the Ontario Fire Department, may use or store fireworks in the city.
Violations are declared a public nuisance and carry a $1,000 fine, in addition to any other civil penalty, criminal prosecution, or fine. Fireworks found in a person's possession are confiscated and destroyed. Under California Health and Safety Code section 12677, possessing dangerous fireworks without a permit is a misdemeanor.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Ontario, CA
Ontario Municipal Code section 5-29.14 prohibits operating any motor vehicle in a condition that creates excessive, impulsive or intrusive noise, including e...
Ontario, CA
Outdoor music is regulated under OMC Title 5 Chapter 29 and the special-event permit process. Venues and events with amplified sound need a city permit; resi...
Ontario, CA
No Ontario-specific ordinance directly regulates aircraft noise; the City's noise chapter exempts activities preempted by state or federal law (OMC 5-29.06(h...
Ontario, CA
Ontario prohibits razor wire on any wall or fence citywide, and bans barbed wire and electrified fences in residential, commercial, and residential mixed-use...
Ontario, CA
Every wall, fence, and gate in Ontario is subject to Planning Director design review regardless of whether a building permit is needed. A building permit is ...
Ontario, CA
Ontario fence requirements include zoning-based heights, setbacks, sight triangles, buffer walls on industrial edges, and CBC structural standards. Pool, ret...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Bernardino County.
See how other cities in San Bernardino County handle fireworks.
See how Ontario's fireworks rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.