All fireworks - including 'safe and sane' - are prohibited to possess, manufacture, store, sell, handle, or use anywhere in the City of Santa Cruz. The City deletes the state Fire Code's fireworks chapter and replaces it with an outright ban, and fines triple during the July Fourth safety enhancement zone period.
Santa Cruz Municipal Code Chapter 19.05 adopts the California Fire Code with local amendments. Section 19.05.300 deletes California Fire Code Chapter 56 (Explosives and Fireworks) in its entirety and replaces it so that, under new Section 5601.1.2, 'The possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling and use of fireworks are prohibited.' This covers consumer 'safe and sane' fireworks as well as the state-classified dangerous fireworks (firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles, M-80s, etc.). California state law underlies the ban: Health & Safety Code section 12677 makes possessing dangerous fireworks without a permit a misdemeanor, and section 12505 defines dangerous fireworks. During the Fourth of July period the City Council designates the city a 'safety enhancement zone' under SCMC Chapter 9.02, which under section 9.02.020 triples the fine for fireworks violations (Section 3301 of the California Fire Code as incorporated at Chapter 19.05). Only state-licensed display fireworks with a permit are allowed (SCMC 19.05.300 / Section 5602).
Possession or discharge is a Municipal Code violation; under SCMC 9.02.020 the fine is tripled within a designated safety enhancement zone (the city limits during the Fourth of July period) - 'three times the amount of the fine assessed per the city of Santa Cruz bail schedule.' Possession of dangerous fireworks without a permit is also a misdemeanor under Cal. Health & Safety Code section 12677.
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