In unincorporated Riverside County, ALL fireworks are banned under Ordinance No. 858, including state-legal 'safe and sane' fireworks. No person may possess, store, use, sell, or transport fireworks except at a County-authorized site designated by the Fire Chief. Violations are a misdemeanor and carry administrative civil penalties up to $5,000.
Riverside County Ordinance No. 858 (as amended through 858.2, effective June 9, 2021) prohibits fireworks throughout all unincorporated areas of the County. Section 3(a) states no person shall possess, keep, store, use, shoot, discharge, set off, ignite, explode, manufacture, sell, offer to sell, give, or transport any FIREWORKS, DANGEROUS FIREWORKS, or SAFE AND SANE FIREWORKS, except as set forth in the Exceptions. Unlike the four Riverside County cities that permit 'safe and sane' sales (Indio, Coachella, Blythe, Desert Hot Springs), the unincorporated County bans even those state-classified items. Definitions track the California Health & Safety Code: 'Dangerous Fireworks' per HSC 12505, 'Safe and Sane Fireworks' per HSC 12529, 'Fireworks' per HSC 12511. The ordinance cites the County's extreme fire hazard and long, volatile fire seasons as justification. The only narrow exception (Section 5) allows safe-and-sane sale/use on the Fourth of July at a County-authorized site the Fire Chief designates, by permit issued only to a licensed nonprofit. Public fireworks displays require a permit applied for at least 14 days in advance to the Fire Chief and Sheriff (Section 4). Property owners face strict liability under Section 7(b) for allowing fireworks on their property, regardless of intent or knowledge.
Per Ordinance 858, Section 7: a violation is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000 and/or up to one year in county jail; a second or subsequent conviction carries a $1,000 fine plus one year in jail. Section 7(d) administrative civil penalties are $1,000 (first offense), $2,000 (second within 36 months), and $5,000 (each subsequent within 36 months). Property owners are strictly liable. Enforcement officers may seize fireworks and charge cost-recovery for transport, storage, and disposal (Section 6).
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