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Purchasing Fireworks

On the first Wednesday in March, at 10:00 a.m., a lottery-type drawing will take place to select 30 new non-profit organizations who will receive a two-year permit to sell “Safe and Sane” fireworks in the City of Fresno (provided they meet all of the requirements). For more information, contact your local fireworks vendor.

The sale of “Safe and Sane” fireworks shall commence not earlier than 12:00 p.m. on June 28, and shall terminate at noon on July 6. The hours for sales at each fireworks stand shall be from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

It is unlawful for any person to sell “Safe and Sane” fireworks within the City of Fresno without a permit issued by the Fire Chief or designee. If an organization is selling “Safe and Sane” fireworks without a permit, the individual or organization could face a fine of up to four times the standard permit amount, which is two thousand five hundred four dollars ($2,504.00), and face possible criminal charges.

Use and Discharge of “Safe and Sane” Fireworks:

In late 2010 the Fresno City Council passed an ordinance allowing the use or discharge of “Safe and Sane” fireworks, in the City of Fresno, 365 days a year between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. except for period of June 28th to July 6th when use and discharge will be allowed between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m.

Selling Fireworks

It is a violation of State Law and the California Health and Safety Code to sell “Safe and Sane” fireworks to California residence through the internet and on Craigslist. Visit Cal Fire website for more information 

Snap Caps and Party Poppers:

Snap Caps and Party Poppers are classified by the SFM as a “pyrotechnic device” in accordance with State fireworks laws and regulations.

Per Title 19 CCR 986.7 and 986.8, respectively, these items may be sold at retail outlets without requirement of a State fireworks retailer license or other retail sales restrictions as long as they are units of a particular manufacturer and design, which has been classified by the SFM. Snap Caps and Party Poppers will have the SFM seal:

Firework Stand FAQs

FIREWORKS STAND PERMITS:

Q. How do I know if I qualify to obtain a fireworks permit to sell “Safe and Sane” fireworks?
A. See Fresno Fire Standards

Q. What is a 501(c)(3)-(19)?
A. A tax exemption issued by the IRS regarding non-profit status and exemption from federal income tax. See the IRS website for more information.

Q. How do I get an application to sell “Safe and Sane” fireworks?
A. Contact your locally approved fireworks vendor.

Q. When are the applications due?
A. Applications are due on the third Wednesday in February. The fireworks vendor you have selected will turn in the application to the Fresno Fire Department.

Q. What is the lottery drawing?
A. The lottery drawing is a drawing in which all qualifying applicants are entered into in order to select the new participants for the fireworks season.

Q. When is the lottery drawing?
A. The lottery drawing is the first Wednesday of March.

Q. How can I get my organization placed into the lottery drawing?
A. Review the Fresno Fire Standards to make sure you meet all of the qualifications. Contact your locally approved fireworks vendor for assistance in filling out an application for the lottery drawing.

Q. How will I be notified if I am drawn in the lottery?
A. Your fireworks vendor will contact you or you may attend the lottery drawing.

Q. What is the supplemental paperwork?
A. Once you have been chosen in the lottery, the supplemental paperwork is additional paperwork which needs to be completed by your organization and your fireworks vendor.

Q. Where can I store my fireworks when my fireworks stand is not open for sales?
A. Onsite storage of fireworks is permitted in approved metal cargo-style containers only (i.e., sea-train, ISO conex, or something similar), at a distance of no less than thirty five feet (35’) from the fireworks stand. Storage of fireworks in the fireworks stand, trucks, or vans will be permitted only when there will be 24-hour security or a responsible party onsite 24 hours a day, or your fireworks may be stored at a pre-approved fireworks vendor location.

Q. When will my fireworks stand be inspected?
A. Each stand will be inspected prior to the start of the sale period. Your vendor will have the inspection appointment information. A permit will be issued once the initial inspection has been completed successfully. Your fireworks stand will be inspected randomly after the initial inspection.

Q. What can I expect when my fireworks stand is inspected?
A. See Appendix D of the Fresno Fire Department’s Prevention Division Standards for inspection details. This appendix provides a list of the items being checked during fireworks stand inspections.

Q. What if I cannot be there for my fireworks stand initial inspection?
A. If you cannot be present at the pre-scheduled fireworks stand inspection appointment, someone else from your organization, or your fireworks vendor, should be present at the stand to meet the Fire Department.

Q. What will happen if no one from my organization, nor my fireworks vendor, is present when the Fire Department shows up for my previously scheduled initial inspection?
A. Your organization will be responsible for bringing a fee of $242.00 or current fee to Fire Department Headquarters and rescheduling the initial inspection appointment within the parameters of the Standard.

Q. What if I have not received my product by the time my initial inspection is scheduled for my fireworks stand?
A. It is very important you stay in close contact with your fireworks vendor. If your product has not arrived at the time of your initial inspection, we will not be able to conduct your initial inspection and you will not receive your permit. You could be subject to a re-inspection fee of $242.00 or current fee.

Q. What if I need to reschedule or change my initial inspection appointment?
A. You will need to come to the Fire Department Headquarters to pay a fee of $162.00 or current fee. The appointment will only be rescheduled if there is an inspector available at the date and time needed and the appointment is still within the parameters of the Standard.

Q. What will happen if I start selling fireworks from my stand before I receive my permit?
A. If you sell fireworks without first receiving your fireworks permit from the Fresno Fire Prevention and Investigation Division, the individual or organization could face a fine of up to four (4) times the Standard permit amount, $2,504.00; face possible criminal charges; as well as be responsible for cost recovery fees.

Q. Can I give my permit to another organization because I am unable to run my fireworks stand this year?
A. NO. Permits are non-transferable.

Q. How old do you have to be to work in a fireworks stand?
A. All persons involved in the sale of “Safe and Sane” fireworks shall be at least 18 years of age. Proof must be shown at any time when requested by Fire officials. Failure to produce valid picture identification upon request may result in revocation of your fireworks sales permit for the remainder of the daily sales period and/or a one thousand dollar ($1,000.00) fine. Any person 16 or 17 years old, who is affiliated with the organization, may help stock and work in the fireworks stand but not handle the money or sell “Safe and Sane” fireworks.

Q. Once I have received my fireworks permit, when can I start selling fireworks?
A. The sale of “Safe and Sane” fireworks shall begin no earlier than noon on June 28th and shall not continue after noon on July 6th of the same year. The sale of “Safe and Sane” fireworks shall be permitted only from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. Exceptions to this regulation are on June 28th, when the hours shall be 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; and July 6th, when the hours shall be 9:00 a.m. to noon.

Q. How old do you have to be to buy fireworks?
A. You have to be at least 16 years old to buy “Safe and Sane” fireworks in the City of Fresno.

Q. When do I have to stop selling fireworks?
A. You cannot sell fireworks after July 6th at noon.

Q. When can I use “Safe and Sane” fireworks in the City of Fresno?
A. “Safe and Sane” fireworks can be used or discharged in the City of Fresno 365 days a year between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Exception to this regulation will be for the period of June 28th to July 6th when use and discharge will be allowed between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m.

ILLEGAL FIREWORKS:

Q. What shall I do if I have illegal fireworks I want to get rid of but don’t want to get in trouble?
A. Any illegal fireworks can be turned into your local fire station without penalty.

Q. What shall I do if someone tries to sell me illegal fireworks?
A. Call Fire Department Headquarters at 559-621-4181 during normal business hours to report anyone who tries to sell you illegal fireworks, or is not selling fireworks from an approved fireworks stand, or anyone you know who is in possession of illegal fireworks.

Q. What will happen if I discharge illegal fireworks or have illegal fireworks in my possession?
A. You will be issued a citation for illegal fireworks in the amount of $1,000.00 with a $250.00 disposal fee.

Q. What should I do if I receive an illegal fireworks citation?
A. Pay the fine within 30 days to the organization on the citation where it states “Submit Payment To”. Payments can be by check, cash, or money order made payable to the organization where the citation states “Make Checks Payable To”.

For additional information regarding fireworks stand inspections, call (559) 621-4181.

For additional information regarding illegal fireworks and investigation, call 311 or use FresGo.