Sonoma County Fire Regulations: Fireworks Rules (2026)

Fireworks in unincorporated Sonoma County are governed by California Health and Safety Code Part 2 (Sections 12500-12728, the State Fireworks Law) and Sonoma County Code Chapter 13, Article VI (Fireworks), part of the County Fire Safety Ordinance most recently restated by Ordinance No. 6296 (2016 Fire Code adoption). State law classifies fireworks as 'dangerous fireworks' (Health & Safety Code Section 12505 - skyrockets, Roman candles, aerial shells, firecrackers, M-80s) or 'safe and sane fireworks' (Section 12529 - non-aerial, non-explosive items registered with the Office of the State Fire Marshal). Section 12677 makes it unlawful for any person to possess, use, store, sell, or transport dangerous fireworks without a license, permit, or other authorization from the State Fire Marshal. Section 12541 requires retail sale of safe and sane fireworks only between noon June 28 and noon July 6, and only in jurisdictions that have adopted an ordinance permitting them - Sonoma County has not. Sonoma County Code Article VI accordingly prohibits the sale, possession, use, and discharge of all fireworks (dangerous and safe and sane) in the unincorporated county. The only exemption is a public display under Health & Safety Code Section 12640, which requires a State Fire Marshal pyrotechnic operator license and a separate permit from Permit Sonoma's Fire Prevention Division. Permit Sonoma (707-565-1900) and the Sonoma County Fire District enforce the ordinance jointly with the Sheriff's Office. The County applies a social host policy: under Article VI and standard administrative citation procedures, the property owner or renter of the parcel where fireworks are discharged is responsible regardless of who actually lit them, and is required to take reasonable steps to prevent guests from using fireworks. The City of Sonoma, City of Santa Rosa, City of Petaluma (effective June 8, 2020), City of Rohnert Park (effective September 2021), Cotati, Healdsburg, Sebastopol, and Windsor have all separately banned safe and sane fireworks. Cloverdale is the only Sonoma County jurisdiction that still permits state-approved safe and sane fireworks during the July 4 window. The entire unincorporated county lies within a CalFire State Responsibility Area or in a Local Responsibility Area Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, and Public Resources Code Section 4170 prohibits any open flame including fireworks in SRA timber/grass land without a CalFire burn permit, which is not issued for fireworks.