Illegal Fireworks in San Diego

This guide covers the City of San Diego. In unincorporated parts of San Diego County, the County says CAL FIRE San Diego enforcement patrols along with Sheriff deputies. Other cities in the county have their own police and fire departments; our guide to reporting a problem to the City of San Diego explains how to tell whether an address is inside City limits.

As of November 1, 2026, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department's fireworks page says: "All consumer fireworks are illegal in the City and County of San Diego."

• Every type of consumer firework. Fire-Rescue says the ban includes sparklers, firecrackers, cherry bombs, bottle rockets and even poppers.
• The Municipal Code. San Diego Municipal Code section 511.5601, part of the San Diego Fire Code, adds a local rule that makes it unlawful for any person to possess, store, manufacture, offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail, or use or explode any fireworks within the incorporated City limits, or in territory outside the City that the City has jurisdiction over or controls. The section was last amended effective February 28, 2026.
• "Safe and sane" fireworks too. In a County News Center article published July 2, 2025, CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire said all fireworks, even those labeled "safe and sane," are illegal. It explained that the State Fire Marshal labels certain fireworks that do not explode or fly into the air, like sparklers, as safe and sane, and that they can be sold and used in some cities or counties, but not in San Diego County. Seeing them for sale elsewhere does not make them legal here.

• Fire, injury or danger: call 911. SDPD's When to Call 9-1-1 page says to call 911 if there is a danger to life or property, a hazard to the environment, a crime in progress or one that happened within the last 5 to 10 minutes, a medical emergency, or a fire.
• Fireworks going off, nothing burning, nobody hurt: call 619-531-2000. The same page lists the 24/7 non-emergency line, 619-531-2000 or 858-484-3154, for issues that do not require immediate assistance. It says response times depend on the relative urgency of the situation, the likelihood of making an arrest and the availability of an officer. Call while the fireworks are happening, so officers have something to respond to.
• No online fireworks report. As of November 1, 2026, fireworks are not on SDPD's list of crimes that can be reported online, and the City's Get It Done page does not list a fireworks report type. Get It Done lists 619-531-2000 for police non-emergencies and 911 for emergencies.
• Loud parties and music. If the problem is a party or loud music rather than fireworks, see our noise complaints guide. SDPD lists noise complaints as an example of a call for the non-emergency line.

As of November 1, 2026, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department's fireworks page says that under California law, fireworks violations may be charged as a misdemeanor and can carry fines between $1,000 and $2,000, up to one year in county jail, or both. It says penalties increase based on the type and number of fireworks involved, and that in some cases fines can reach up to $100,000.

In the County News Center article, a CAL FIRE San Diego captain said being caught can result in misdemeanor or felony violations depending on the circumstances, and that someone who starts a fire with a firework could be arrested for arson because fireworks are illegal in San Diego County. Charges and fines are decided case by case; this guide is not legal advice.

• Brush and canyons. In its July 2025 holiday safety release, the City said San Diego Fire-Rescue wants to remind residents of the City's year-long fire risk, and the Fire Chief said fireworks "can lead to wildfires, serious injuries or worse." Dry brush in canyons and open space near homes can catch quickly. Our overgrown brush and weeds guide covers how to report brush that needs clearing.
• Fires nationwide. Citing the National Fire Protection Association, Fire-Rescue's fireworks page says consumer fireworks caused an estimated 34,079 fires in the U.S. in 2024, including 29,517 outside fires and 3,246 structure fires, with $98 million in direct property damage.
• Injuries. The same page says an estimated 14,700 people were treated for firework-related injuries in U.S. emergency departments in 2024, and that the highest injury rates are often among young children and teens.

Fireworks can frighten pets into bolting through a gate or over a fence. Keeping pets indoors with the doors and gates shut, and making sure their ID tags and microchip details are current, gives a lost pet a better chance of getting home.

In its July 2025 holiday safety release, the City of San Diego said: "Anyone in possession of fireworks, including sparklers, firecrackers, cherry bombs, bottle rockets and poppers, can drop them off at any fire station within the city of San Diego, no questions asked."

• Hand them to a firefighter. Give them to the crew at the station rather than leaving them unattended outside.
• Do not set them off to use them up. Using or exploding fireworks is itself unlawful under section 511.5601.

• Location. The street address or nearest cross streets, and whether the fireworks are coming from a yard, a street, a park or a canyon edge.
• Whether anything is burning. Smoke, flames or sparks landing in brush make it a 911 call.
• What you see, from a safe distance. The type of fireworks, how often they are going off and a description of the people or vehicles involved. Do not approach or confront anyone.