Fireworks ordinances in cities near Lakewood CA

We get lots of inquires about fireworks laws. This is a 2008 summary that we found useful for cities near Lakewood CA. We are not sure how accurate it is nor how current. Fireworks laws are in a state of flux, most becoming more restrictive as time goes by, thanks to some city councils having some common sense and protecting the voters from themselves or pyro neighbors.


Independence day ordinances
Article Launched: 07/03/2008 04:01:21 PM PDT
From www.presstelegram.com

Each city decides its own ordinance on the use of fireworks. Long Beach prohibits the use of all fireworks in city limits, while other cities such as Lakewood allow the sale, purchase and discharge of safe-and-sane fireworks during specified days and hours.

Non-safe-and-sane fireworks, like M80 s and bottle rockets, are considered unsafe and are illegal in California. Many question whether safe-and-sane fireworks are any safer and should be allowed at all.

Penalties for fireworks use vary from city to city. Those found using safe-and-sane fireworks in a city that allows their use, outside the specified times, may be subject to an infraction or administrative fine.

Downey, which allows safe-and-sane fireworks during specific dates and hours, had a 100 percent conviction rate on 72 firework citations for 2007, with an average fine of $700.

Depending on city municipal codes, cities may issue infraction citations (similar to those for running a red light) that are paid to the county court, or issue administrative citations that are paid to the city.

The use of any firework in Long Beach is at least a misdemeanor, and in any city felony charges can apply - for example, the use of an M80 carries a felony charge statewide.

Bellflower

Status: Sale of safe-and-sane fireworks permitted July 1-3 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on July 4 from 8 a.m. to midnight. Discharge permitted July 1-3 and 5 from 10 a.m to 11 p.m., and July 4 from 10 a.m. to midnight.

Penalty: Infraction citations of approximately $500; misdemeanor can apply.

Carson

Status: Sale of safe-and-sane fireworks permitted June 28 from noon to 10 p.m., June 29 to July 3 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and from 7 a.m. to midnight on July 4. Discharge permitted at noon June 28 around the clock until July 4 at midnight.

Penalties: Administrative citations of $100, $200 and $300 for first, second and third offenses. Misdemeanor charges could mean up to $1,000 fines.

Cerritos

Status: The sale or use of all fireworks, including safe-and-sane ones, is illegal.

Penalty: Misdemeanor charges subject to fine and/or jail time.

Downey

Status: The sale of safe-and-sane fireworks permitted from July 1-4 from noon to 8 p.m. Discharge permitted on July 4 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Penalty: Misdemeanor charges could mean up to $1,000 fines.

Lakewood (see details here)

Status: Sale of safe-and-sane fireworks permitted July 1-4 between 8 a.m. and

10 p.m. Discharge permitted July 4 between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Penalty: Misdemeanor charges could mean up to $1,000 in fines and/or jail time.

Long Beach

Status: The sale and use of all fireworks, even safe-and-sane ones, is illegal.

Penalty: Misdemeanor charges could mean up to $1,000 fines and/or jail time.

Norwalk

Status: Sale of safe-and-sane fireworks permitted between July 2-4 between

10 a.m. and 10 p.m.; discharge allowed during same hours.

Penalty: Misdemeanor charges could mean up to $1,000 in fines and/or jail time.

Paramount

Status: The sale of safe-and-sane fireworks permitted June 28 to July 4 during the hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Discharge permitted noon July 3-4, no restriction on hours.

Penalty: Infraction citations of $35; Misdemeanor charges could mean up to $1,000 fines.

Signal Hill

Status: The sale or use of all fireworks, including safe-and-sane ones, is illegal.

Penalty: Tiered infraction citations of $50, $100 and $250 for first, second and third offenses. Misdemeanor charges could mean up to $1,000 fines.


Lakewood Accountability Action Group™ LAAG | www.LAAG.us | Lakewood, CA
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