Fireworks are Prohibited in Unincorporated Areas of Placer County

Published on June 15, 2015

Placer County officials are reminding residents and visitors that fireworks of all sizes and types are illegal in unincorporated areas of the county.

“Extreme drought conditions make the fire dangers extremely high this year, and we want to remind all citizens that fireworks are a common cause of summer fires,” said Program Manager John McEldowney of the Placer County Office of Emergency Services.  

The prohibition applies to both:

• Rural areas not located within the boundaries of any incorporated city or town and
• Unincorporated communities such as Penryn, Newcastle, North Auburn, Granite Bay, Meadow Vista, Foresthill, Tahoe City and Kings Beach.

Anyone caught violating the fireworks ban could be charged with a misdemeanor and face a fine of up to $2,000 per violation. 

Some incorporated cities within Placer County allow Safe and Sane fireworks to be sold and used. Contact city offices to find out whether a particular city permits fireworks.

In unincorporated areas, the only exception to the fireworks ban is when an agency or person requests and receives a permit from the county to host a fireworks display operated by a professional pyrotechnics company. Requests must be submitted at least 30 days before proposed display dates.