NWS issues Excessive Heat Warning September 1st through September 8th. View Cooling Centers information. All planned power outages for this week have been cancelled. Only emergency repairs will be conducted at this time.  For more information, visit SiliconValleyPower.com

Our City » Departments G-Z » Police Department » Community

The laws governing fireworks in Santa Clara are clear – fireworks are illegal. Yet, every Independence Day the City’s Communications Center receives hundreds of calls related to illegal fireworks. New Year's Eve can have a similar effect. 

Please do NOT set off fireworks – it’s inconsiderate to your neighbors, needlessly scares children and pets, raises anxiety levels for individuals with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, is inherently dangerous to property and bystanders and ties up emergency phone lines unnecessarily. It can also be costly. Fines may be issued and / or criminal prosecution may be sought when violations are discovered.

Instead, you are encouraged to celebrate safely by attending a professional firework show.

Or, celebrate Independence Day with games, food, swimming and live entertainment!  The 4th of July All-City Picnic will take place on Monday, July 4 from 12 – 5 p.m. in Central Park, 909 Kiely Boulevard.  Complete details are available online.

Holidays result in significantly higher call volume to the 9-1-1 Center each year.

As a result, residents are asked to limit fireworks related calls to the Communications Center, except in the following circumstances. In addition, callers may experience longer than normal answering times, particularly on non-emergency phone lines. Please use the appropriate phone number and be patient with call takers.

• Injury, 9-1-1 • Fire, 9-1-1 • Property damage, 408-615-5580 • Knowledge of exact location of where fireworks are being set off in real-time, 408-615-5580

Please do not report noise complaints unless you can provide the exact location of the fireworks being set off.

In addition, do not report the use of fireworks or need for police, fire or medical response on social media. It is not monitored regularly.

The Police and Fire Departments are conducting preventative roving patrols based on daily call activity.  While the Police and Fire Departments cannot respond to every fireworks related call, public safety personnel will prioritize our response to ensure the public’s safety. 

The boom and crackle of the firework happens in seconds and the sound can carry quite some distance. Catching someone in the act - possession of fireworks or launching illegal fireworks - is not an easy task!  Without knowing where the activity is occurring, Public Safety Dispatchers can only communicate it to public safety personnel as beat information. With a specific location, public safety personnel can respond to the designated location, look for expended fireworks, people standing around and/or someone willing to “point out” who set it off.

Santa Clara Municipal Code section 15.60.280 states: “The possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling, and use of fireworks, including those fireworks classified as Safe and Sane by the California State Fire Marshal, are prohibited.” This includes, but is not limited  to, popular bottle rockets, roman candles, firecrackers and sparklers. 

The California Health and Safety Code defines dangerous fireworks as any firework containing any of the following:

The law defines “Safe and Sane fireworks” as any that do not come within the definition of “dangerous fireworks.”

While California permits the sale and use of "Safe and Sane" fireworks, the City of Santa Clara has a local ordinance prohibiting the use of “Safe and Sane” fireworks. This includes, but is not limited to, bottle rockets, roman candles, firecrackers and sparklers. 

“Party Poppers” and “Snap Caps” are generally found in local stores this time of year and are classified as a “pyrotechnic device” in accordance with state fireworks laws and regulations. These novelty items make small popping sound and shoot out confetti or streamers and are not regulated as “Dangerous” or “Safe and Sane” fireworks.

It is legal to sell and use “Party Poppers” and “Snap Caps” in the City of Santa Clara.

City of Santa Clara 1500 Warburton Avenue Santa Clara, CA 95050

Website Created by Granicus - Connecting People and Government