Crime & Safety

Fireworks Are Illegal in Santa Clara County

The sale, purchase, transport, storage or use of fireworks is unlawful. Cal Fire and law enforcement agencies are reminding residents and visitors of the law due to the Independence Day holiday.

All fireworks, including sparklers, are illegal in Santa Clara County because they cause serious injuries and often start fires, Cal Fire officials said.

Fireworks are illegal in Santa Clara County, and Cal Fire and Sheriff's officials are reminding residents and visitors of the law.

The sale, purchase, transport, storage or use of fireworks in Santa Clara County is unlawful—except for Gilroy where so-called "safe-and-sane" fireworks are allowed, according to authorities.

Find out what's happening in Los Gatoswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Illegal fireworks include sky rockets, bottle rockets, roman candles, aerial shells, firecrackers and other miscellaneous types that explode, go up in the air, or move about the ground in an uncontrollable fashion. Those convicted could be fined up to $50,000 and sent to prison or jail for up to one year.

"Any person or persons that cause a wildland fire by using illegal fireworks will be held responsible for all fire suppression costs," Cal Fire officials said. "These costs can run into the millions of dollars."

Find out what's happening in Los Gatoswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Anyone caught with illegal fireworks will be subject to fines, citation, or arrest, all illegal fireworks will be confiscated, according to Cal Fire.

For a list of towns allowing state-approved fireworks, please click here.



Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.