All fireworks - including 'safe and sane' types - are prohibited in unincorporated Alameda County. Only three cities (Dublin, Newark, Union City) permit safe and sane fireworks during a limited window. Possession of dangerous fireworks is a misdemeanor under California Health & Safety Code §12700, with state fines starting at $1,000 and reaching $100,000 for large quantities.
California Health & Safety Code §§12500-12728 governs all fireworks statewide. 'Dangerous fireworks' (aerials, rockets, firecrackers, sparklers over 10 inches under HSC §12505) are illegal everywhere in California without a state license. 'Safe and sane' fireworks (HSC §12529) are state-approved only when allowed by local ordinance. Alameda County prohibits all fireworks in unincorporated areas - there is no safe-and-sane exception, and the county's high wildfire risk in the eastern hills (Sunol, Castro Valley, Fairview, San Lorenzo) drives strict enforcement. Only Dublin, Newark, and Union City permit safe and sane fireworks, and those must be used in the city of purchase. Oakland and all other Alameda County cities prohibit all fireworks. The Alameda County Board of Supervisors has been considering an updated countywide fireworks and social host ordinance to add civil fines targeting property owners who allow fireworks use on their property. Report fireworks violations to the Alameda County Sheriff at (510) 667-7721.
State penalties under HSC §12700: possession of under 25 lbs of dangerous fireworks - misdemeanor with fine of $1,000 to $2,000 and/or up to one year in county jail; 25-100 lbs - $2,000 to $10,000 fine and/or jail; 100-5,000 lbs - $10,000 to $20,000; over 5,000 lbs - $20,000 to $100,000. Local civil fines may also apply, and the Sheriff and fire agencies can issue criminal citations and seize fireworks without requiring a criminal conviction.
Alameda County, CA
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Alameda County, CA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Alameda County.
See how other cities in Alameda County handle fireworks.
See how Sunol's fireworks rules stack up against other locations.
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