Pacifica, CA Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- Dangerous fireworks
- Banned without Fire Chief permit; 25 lb possession cap
- Safe & sane hours
- Noon-11pm June 28; 9am-11pm June 29-July 5
- Sales permits
- Max 15/year, qualifying nonprofit/school organizations only
- Minors
- May only discharge under direct adult supervision
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor up to $1,000 fine and 6 months jail
- Enforced by
- Pacifica Fire Chief and Fire Department
Summary
In the City of Pacifica, Municipal Code Section 4-3.202 bans the possession, sale, or discharge of dangerous fireworks without a Fire Chief permit, capping unpermitted possession at twenty-five pounds. Section 4-3.203 confines legal 'safe and sane' fireworks to a narrow window: noon to 11 p.m. on June 28, then 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. from June 29 through July 5, with strict location and age restrictions.
(a)No person shall ignite, use, discharge, sell, offer for sale, or display for sale any dangerous fireworks, or take any action requiring a permit under Section 12640 of the California Health and Safety Code, without a permit from the Fire Chief.(b)No person shall possess dangerous fireworks in the amount of twenty-five (25) pounds or less (gross weight including packaging) within City limits without a permit from the Fire Chief. ... (a)Permissible hours of discharge: It shall be unlawful for any person to ignite, use, or discharge any safe and sane fireworks within City limits except between the hours of 12:00 p.m. (noon) to 11:00 p.m. on June 28, and 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. of each day from June 29 through July 5, inclusive, of the same year.
Full Breakdown
202 makes it unlawful to ignite, use, discharge, sell, offer for sale, or display for sale any 'dangerous fireworks' as defined by California Health and Safety Code Section 12505, without a permit from the Fire Chief, and caps unpermitted possession at twenty-five pounds gross weight including packaging. Only 'safe and sane' fireworks approved by the State Fire Marshal may be used without that permit. each day from June 29 through July 5. Discharge is banned within ten feet of any residence or dwelling, inside any City park, mini-park, or tot lot, within fifty feet of a fireworks stand, and on any City beach except a defined stretch of Pacifica State Beach near the Linda Mar parking lot.
Minors may only discharge safe and sane fireworks under the direct supervision of a parent, guardian, or custodial adult eighteen or older. from June 29 through July 4. Fireworks stands cannot exceed 750 square feet, must sit at least twenty-five feet from other buildings and fifty feet from gasoline tanks, and permittees must complete twenty hours of post-sale cleanup community service.
Violations & Fines
Under Section 4-3.210, violating the fireworks article is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail, and is also separately punishable by civil administrative citation under Title 1, Chapter 6, with no warning required before the citation issues. Violations are declared public nuisances subject to emergency abatement, and civil fines can include the City's costs to collect, transport, and dispose of seized fireworks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are fireworks legal in Pacifica on the Fourth of July?
What happens if I'm caught with illegal fireworks in Pacifica?
Can I light fireworks on Pacifica State Beach?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pacifica
How Pacifica compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·California rules heatmap·Compare Pacifica to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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