Ventura, CA Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SBMC § 10.852.020
- Scope
- sale, offer to sell, use and possession all banned
- Property owner/tenant liability
- § 10.852.020(B)
- Definitions cross-reference
- Cal. Health & Safety Code §§ 12505, 12511
- Related fire code section
- SBMC § 14.10.020(MM)
- Penalty
- fine under Ch. 1.50 or misdemeanor (§ 10.852.030)
Summary
All fireworks, including safe and sane fireworks, are banned in the City of Ventura. San Buenaventura Municipal Code Section 10.852.020 bars anyone from selling, offering to sell, using or possessing fireworks or dangerous fireworks in the city, and makes a property owner or tenant liable if they knowingly allow it on their property.
A. In addition to the provisions of Section 14.10.010 adopting the California Fire Code and Section 14.10.020(MM) prohibiting the manufacturing, possession, storage, sale, use and handling of fireworks, no person shall sell, offer to sell, use or have in their possession within the city any fireworks or dangerous fireworks, except as provided in Section 14.10.020(MM). B. Except as provided in Section 14.10.020(MM), no responsible person shall allow or permit the sale, offer to sell, use or possession of fireworks or dangerous fireworks on their property when the responsible person knows or should know that the sale, offer to sell, use or possession of fireworks or dangerous fireworks at the property is prohibited. ... Any person violating a provision of Section 10.852.020 shall be subject to a fine in accordance with Chapter 1.50 or is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-008, passed May 12, 2026).
Full Breakdown
020(MM) ban on manufacturing, possessing, storing, selling, using and handling fireworks. 010 as anyone with a right of possession of the property, cannot allow or permit fireworks activity on their property once they know or should know it is prohibited. 852. There is no seasonal exception in the section for the Fourth of July or New Year's; the ban applies year-round to any person and to any responsible person who permits the activity on property they possess.
Violations & Fines
Anyone who violates Section 10.852.020, whether by selling, using or possessing fireworks or by knowingly allowing the activity on property they control, is subject to a fine under Chapter 1.50 or is guilty of a misdemeanor, under Section 10.852.030.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are safe and sane fireworks legal in the City of Ventura?
Can I be cited for fireworks set off by a guest on my property in Ventura?
What is the penalty for using fireworks in Ventura?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ventura
How Ventura compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·California rules heatmap·Compare Ventura to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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Fireworks in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Ventura County handle fireworks.