In unincorporated Orange County, ALL fireworks - including state-approved 'Safe and Sane' fireworks - are illegal to use. Unincorporated communities are not among the 10 OC cities that license retail sales, so any use of consumer fireworks here is prohibited under the California Fireworks Law (Health & Safety Code 12500 et seq.).
California's State Fireworks Law (Health & Safety Code 12500 et seq.) divides fireworks into 'dangerous' fireworks (HSC 12505 - firecrackers, skyrockets, rockets, and larger sparklers, illegal for the public statewide) and 'Safe and Sane' fireworks (HSC 12529 - fountains, ground spinners, and similar items bearing the State Fire Marshal seal). Safe and Sane fireworks may only be sold by licensed retailers from noon June 28 through noon July 6, and only where a local jurisdiction permits them. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer has stated that while you may possess Safe and Sane fireworks, you may only use them in the cities that allow them, and 'Unincorporated Orange County is not included in that list.' Only 10 OC cities (Anaheim, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, Stanton, Villa Park, and Westminster) license Safe and Sane sales. The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) provides fire protection for all unincorporated areas, and the canyon communities (Silverado, Modjeska, Trabuco) sit in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones where any open-flame device is especially dangerous. Dangerous fireworks are illegal everywhere in California without a special display license.
Under HSC 12700, fireworks violations are generally misdemeanors carrying a fine of $500 to $1,000 and up to one year in county jail. Possession of larger quantities of dangerous fireworks carries escalating fines up to $50,000. Possession of dangerous fireworks without a permit is unlawful under HSC 12677 and can be charged as a felony. Local news reporting on OC enforcement notes possible additional penalties when a first responder is injured.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Orange County, CA
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See how Orange County's fireworks rules stack up against other locations.
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