Santa Barbara County, CA Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)

Santa Barbara County Fire is unambiguous: all fireworks, including the so-called 'safe and sane' variety, are illegal in all unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County, as well as in the cities of Santa Barbara, Goleta, Carpinteria, Buellton, and Solvang. State-licensed 'safe and sane' fireworks may only be sold and used within the city limits of Santa Maria, Guadalupe, and Lompoc, and fireworks purchased in those cities must be used inside those same city limits. This reflects the extreme wildfire risk across the unincorporated foothills and chaparral (the 2017 Thomas Fire and January 2018 Montecito debris flow originated in this landscape). 'Safe and sane' fireworks are state-approved items that do not fly into the air or explode; everything beyond that category is classified under California law as 'dangerous fireworks.' California's statewide fireworks framework lives in Health & Safety Code sections 12500 and following. Under Health & Safety Code section 12677, it is unlawful for any person to possess dangerous fireworks without a valid permit. Because the unincorporated county has no local sales or use allowance, residents who want to celebrate are directed to attend professional public fireworks displays staged by licensed operators. Always confirm current rules with Santa Barbara County Fire before any Fourth of July plans.