Fireworks in the Sky
Fireworks in the Sky

New County Fireworks Ordinance Results in Confiscations and Citations

Author: Administrative Office
Date: 8/7/2025 3:29 PM

The ordinance, adopted on May 20, 2025, was developed in response to growing community concerns and supported by the work of a Board-appointed Ad Hoc Committee.

Enforcement of the County of San Luis Obispo’s newly adopted fireworks ordinance over the 4th of July weekend led to dozens of citations and hundreds of pounds of illegal fireworks being confiscated. The ordinance, adopted in May, prohibited the use of all fireworks in most unincorporated areas of the county, strengthened penalties and is aimed at reducing the dangerous impacts associated with illegal fireworks, especially during peak fire season.

From July 3 to July 6, the County’s multi-agency Fireworks Task Force, including the Sheriff's Office, County Fire and other departments carried out targeted enforcement and public awareness campaigns across unincorporated areas of the County impacted by the new ordinance.

Highlights of the effort include:
  • Sheriff’s Office: Issued 24 Notices of Violation and seized more than 350 pounds of illegal fireworks.
  • County Fire/CAL FIRE Law Enforcement: Conducted approximately 100 contacts with individuals regarding illegal fireworks, issued 3 citations, and confiscated more than 250 pounds of dangerous fireworks.
“With our extreme fire dangers, it’s in our community’s best interest to crack down on the illegal use of fireworks,” said 4th District Supervisor Jimmy Paulding. “We must only look at the fires of the recent weeks to see that any way we can prevent sparks is in the best interest of our collective public safety.’

“We’re grateful to the agencies and personnel who worked together to educate the public and hold violators accountable,” said 2nd District Supervisor Bruce Gibson. “We have more work to do and plan to step up efforts next year.”

Violations observed by drones, witnesses or undercover enforcement are being mailed out this week so while party hosts may have thought they got away with illegal celebrations, the notices of violation and consequent fines may be arriving in the mail soon.
The ordinance, adopted on May 20, 2025, was developed in response to growing community concerns and supported by the work of a Board-appointed Ad Hoc Committee. That committee, comprised of Supervisors Bruce Gibson and Jimmy Paulding and staff from key departments, spent months reviewing existing laws, enforcement practices, and public input.

For more information about the fireworks ordinance and how to report violations year-round, visit www.slocounty.ca.gov/fireworks