Sacramento council adopts tighter illegal-fireworks rules, raises penalties to $10,000

Sacramento City Council on Tuesday approved amendments to Sacramento City Code section 8.48 that raise penalties for illegal fireworks and shorten the permitted hours for consumer fireworks.

The council adopted the ordinance after a public hearing and lengthy discussion about enforcement, outreach and public-safety risks. Fire Marshal Jason Lim told the council the updates increase fines for possession, manufacture, sale or use of dangerous fireworks to $10,000 and reduce the curfew from 11 p.m. to 10 p.m., so fireworks will be prohibited from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. the following day.

“This change will reduce the hours allowed from 11 p.m. down to 10 p.m.,” Fire Marshal Jason Lim said during his presentation, summarizing the proposed curfew change and other enforcement provisions.

Nut graf: Councilmembers and public speakers framed the action as a public-safety measure aimed at reducing fires, injuries and neighborhood disruption. Supporters urged the city to pair the ordinance with a sustained education campaign and regional cooperation to reduce the out‑of‑state supply of illegal fireworks.

City staff and public commenters described a near‑annual spike in emergency responses and property damage tied to illegal fireworks. Lim said the department issued 55 citations during the week surrounding July 4 last year, totaling roughly $100,000 in fines, and presented seized items and citation data to the council. The revised code also removes a requirement that property hosts must have known about fireworks on their property to be liable; the change creates strict liability for responsible parties on a property where illegal fireworks are used.

Speakers from neighborhood groups and resellers gave contrasting views. Dennis Veil, speaking on behalf of T and T Fireworks and its nonprofit retail partners, said the ordinance “strikes the right balance,” supporting stronger enforcement while urging action on cross‑border supplies. Leslie Thomas, assistant pastor at Abundant Life Assembly, said seasonal legal fireworks sales are a critical fundraiser for small nonprofits and churches and urged balanced enforcement.

Council debate focused on enforcement capacity, technology and outreach. Councilmember Kaplan thanked city staff and urged education for legal vendors, but cited escalating emergency calls: the fire department fielded about 430 emergency calls over the July 4 weekend last year, a 56% increase over 2023, with 111 fire‑related calls, she said. Several councilmembers urged regional coordination and a state response to cross‑border trafficking of illegal fireworks.

Police and fire leaders also discussed technology options. The police chief described a prior drone pilot used for first response and said using drones for enforcement poses regulatory and equity considerations; the city does not expect to operationalize a drone enforcement program before this July 4. City leaders said revenues and penalties collected would be used to bolster enforcement technology and outreach over time.

The ordinance also clarifies the city’s ability to seek payment for unpaid administrative penalties and allows the finance department to pursue collections through small claims or other legal remedies following court judgment, city attorneys said. Councilmembers asked whether collection remedies could include liens after a judgment; city general counsel for the fire department confirmed judgments would be followed by collection steps.

The council voted to adopt the ordinance; roll call recorded the measure as approved with eight votes in favor and one member absent.

Ending: Councilmembers said the city will roll out an outreach campaign coordinated with regional partners, and staff announced planned regional and local press conferences in early July to publicize the new rules and enforcement efforts.