Santa Rosa, CA Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- Code section
- Santa Rosa City Code 18-44.5608.2
- Voter mandate
- Measure F (after 2003 Lofty Perch Fire)
- Fine (local)
- Up to $1,000; misdemeanor
- Fine (state)
- HSC 12677: up to $1,000 + up to 1 year jail
- 'Safe and Sane' allowed?
- No: all fireworks prohibited
- Reporting
- SRPD non-emergency 707-528-5222
Summary
Possession, sale, gift, storage, or discharge of any fireworks, including 'Safe and Sane', is illegal year-round in Santa Rosa under City Code 18-44.5608.2. Citations carry fines up to $1,000 plus possible misdemeanor jail time.
5608.2 Limitations. Possession, storage, offer or expose for sale, sell at retail, gift or give away, use, explode, discharge, or in any manner dispose of fireworks is prohibited within the limits established by law as the limits of the districts in which such possession, storage, offer or exposure for sale, retail sale, gifting, use, explosion, discharge, or disposal of fireworks is prohibited in any area as established by applicable land-use and zoning standards. Exception: Firework displays authorized pursuant to section 5608.1 for which a permit has been issued.
Full Breakdown
Santa Rosa adopts the California Fire Code by reference (Chapter 18-44 SRCC) and amends Chapter 56 to add a blanket prohibition on fireworks. 2. The ban originated when Santa Rosa voters approved Measure F following the 2003 Lofty Perch Fire, which was caused by 'Safe and Sane' fireworks in east Santa Rosa. The Santa Rosa Fire Department notes that approximately 30% of the city lies within the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area, where fireworks pose a particularly high ignition risk. The prohibition supplements, and is stricter than, California state law: Health & Safety Code § 12529 defines 'safe and sane fireworks' as items approved by the State Fire Marshal, and HSC §§ 12676–12677 make possession of 'dangerous fireworks' without a state permit a separate misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 in fines and/or one year in county jail.
Violations & Fines
Violation is a misdemeanor under City Code Section 18-44.110.4, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment not exceeding six months. The Santa Rosa Police and Fire Departments confiscate all fireworks as contraband and may bill responsible parties for fire-suppression costs under Health & Safety Code §§ 13009 and 13009.1. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are 'Safe and Sane' fireworks legal in Santa Rosa?
What if I just possess them and don't light them?
Can a neighborhood organization put on a fireworks display?
How do I report illegal fireworks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Rosa
How Santa Rosa compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Rosa to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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Fireworks in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sonoma County handle fireworks.