Yolo County, CA Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- Code chapter
- Yolo County Code Title 4 Chapter 2 (Sec. 4-2.101 et seq.)
- First-violation fine
- $1,000 per firework (raised from $100 in June 2025)
- Dangerous fireworks
- Banned countywide since 2001
- Safe & sane fireworks
- Banned in High and Very High FHSZ (2025 amendment)
- Communities in High FHSZ
- Capay Valley (Rumsey, Guinda, Brooks, Capay, Esparto) and Dunnigan Hills
- State authority
- HSC Sections 12500-12728 (State Fireworks Law)
- Suppression-cost liability
- HSC Section 13009
Summary
Yolo County Code Title 4 Chapter 2 (Sections 4-2.101 et seq., originally added by Ord. 1261 effective May 17, 2001 and amended by the Board of Supervisors in June 2025) prohibits the sale, possession, use, or discharge of all 'dangerous' fireworks throughout the unincorporated County. The 2025 amendment also bans 'safe and sane' (California State Fire Marshal-classified) fireworks in any area mapped by Cal Fire as a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, and raises the administrative fine for a first violation from $100 to $1,000 per firework.
All dangerous fireworks have been banned by ordinance throughout rural Yolo County since 2001. The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved amendments to the county's illegal fireworks ordinance for the first time in nearly 25 years, increasing the first-time violation fine from $100 to $1,000 per firework violation in unincorporated parts of the county. The ordinance also bans 'safe and sane' fireworks in the county's fire risk zones labeled 'high' and 'very high' risk as designated by Cal Fire.
Full Breakdown
605, added by Ordinance 1261 effective May 17, 2001). On June 3, 2025 the Yolo County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the first amendment to that ordinance in nearly 25 years. The amendment (1) raises the administrative fine for a first-time illegal-fireworks violation in the unincorporated County from $100 to $1,000 per firework, with escalating fines for subsequent violations, and (2) prohibits the use of 'safe and sane' fireworks (those bearing the California State Fire Marshal seal under California Health & Safety Code Section 12529) within any portion of the unincorporated County that Cal Fire has mapped as a 'High' or 'Very High' Fire Hazard Severity Zone.
Western Yolo County, including the Capay Hills and the communities of Rumsey, Guinda, Brooks, Capay, Esparto, and the Dunnigan Hills area, falls inside Cal Fire State Responsibility Area (SRA) where dangerous-fireworks discharge is also a state crime. Statewide, California Health & Safety Code Sections 12500-12728 (the State Fireworks Law) make possession or use of 'dangerous fireworks' (firecrackers, skyrockets, bottle rockets, mortars, M-80s, and any large or aerial device) without a state license unlawful regardless of any local ordinance.
Violations & Fines
Per the 2025 Board of Supervisors amendment, the administrative fine for a first illegal-fireworks violation in unincorporated Yolo County is $1,000 per firework (up from $100). Subsequent violations carry escalating fines. Possession or use of 'dangerous fireworks' is also a misdemeanor under California Health & Safety Code Section 12700 et seq.; possession of 25-100 pounds is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in county jail and $2,000-$10,000 in fines, while 101-5,000 pounds is a wobbler punishable by up to three years in state prison and $5,000-$50,000 in fines. California Health & Safety Code Section 13009 makes anyone whose negligent or unlawful fire requires suppression liable for the full cost of fighting the fire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are 'safe and sane' fireworks legal anywhere in unincorporated Yolo County?
What is the fine for setting off illegal fireworks in unincorporated Yolo County?
Can I be billed for fire-suppression costs if my fireworks start a grass fire?
Sources & Official References
- [1]Yolo County Press Release - Fireworks Ordinance Amendment (June 2025)
- [2]Yolo County Code Chapter 2 Fireworks (Title 4)
- [3]Yolo County Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) Information
- [4]California Health & Safety Code - State Fireworks Law (HSC 12500 et seq.)
- [5]California Health & Safety Code Section 13009 (Suppression-Cost Liability)
Other rules in Yolo County
How Yolo County compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·California rules heatmap·Compare Yolo County to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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