Sacramento, CA Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)

Sacramento City Code § 8.48.010 makes it unlawful to "manufacture, possess, sell, use, display, or discharge any fireworks within the city" except as the chapter otherwise permits. Public fireworks displays require a Fire Chief permit under § 8.48.020: the applicant must apply at least 10 days in advance, submit event details, pay a nonrefundable fee set by council resolution, and carry general liability insurance (§ 8.48.030) with at least $1,000,000 per-occurrence coverage naming the city as additional insured. Displays held inside a building are permitted only if an approved automatic sprinkler system is installed throughout (§ 8.48.022).

Safe-and-sane fireworks may only be sold and used under a city permit during the window running from noon on June 28th through 10 p.m. on July 4th (§ 8.48.050). The Fire Chief may seize fireworks possessed, stored, or sold in violation of the chapter that pose an imminent threat to public health or safety (§ 8.48.160). Sacramento's 2021 and 2025 amendments added a host-liability provision (§ 8.48.170): anyone who controls private property, or who organizes or is in charge of an activity there, is liable if fireworks are discharged and they knew or reasonably should have known about it, with a rebuttable presumption of knowledge if they were present.

A narrow safe-harbor exists for a host who calls police or fire first to end the activity before anyone else complains. Denials or permit decisions under this chapter may be appealed to the city manager within 10 days, and then to the city council within 10 more days (§ 8.48.040).