Serving Our Community with Courage, Integrity, and Innovation
Serving Our Community with Courage, Integrity, and Innovation In 2021, staff, with the support of the City Council,
amended the San Pablo Municipal Code to prohibit
fireworks and declare illegal fireworks a public
nuisance.
Prohibiting: 1) Use, Possess, Ignite, Discharge, & Explode 2) Display for sale, Offer for sale
3) Store, Manufacture
Penalty: 1) Criminal/Infraction
2) Administrative Action
3) Civil Nuisance
Background
Serving Our Community with Courage, Integrity, and Innovation ● Fire Hazard Risks - Structures/Homes are in danger
● Public Safety - Risk of injury to public and first
responders
● Noise, Disturbance & Quality of Life - Loud &
disruptive
● Illegal Commerce - Sale and possession of illegal
fireworks
Risk and Concerns
Serving Our Community with Courage, Integrity, and Innovation • 07/01/25: Two San Pablo Residents (22yrs, 18yrs), Killed in Yolo County Fireworks Warehouse Explosion
• 07/04/25: NFL Superstar Running Back, Najee Harris injured his eye during a fireworks “mishap” at a party in Antioch
• July 2025: ConFire responded to (83) fires in Contra
Costa County during 4
th of July Celebrations
Serving Our Community with Courage, Integrity, and Innovation Year CFS +/-
2020 443* +403%
2021 440 -0.67%
2022 156 -73.8%
2023 151 -3.2%
2024 167 +10.59%
2025 156** (YTD) +3.3%**
Since January 2020, Officers have responded to
1,513 Fireworks Calls-for-Service
Vast majority of community do not report fireworks
violations * (88) total CFS for Fireworks in 2019
**YTD January – October 1st
Serving Our Community with Courage, Integrity, and Innovation Officers responded to (133) Fireworks Calls
from mid-June through 4th of July Weekend
2025.
Serving Our Community with Courage, Integrity, and Innovation ● Social Media Campaign: Highlights Dangers Associated with Fireworks
● Community Messaging: Informational Flyers, Messaging
Boards, Community Events & Meetings, etc.
● Community Meetings: Collaboration w/ ConFire & Community Leaders
● Local LE Partnerships & Enforcement: West County LE
Agencies Work in Collaboration (Target Enforcement)
● SPPD Fireworks Details: Firework Enforcement Starting in June Through the 4th of July
● 4th of July & New Years Eve: Extra Police Staffing
San Pablo PD Efforts
Serving Our Community with Courage, Integrity, and Innovation County of Sacramento (City of Citrus Heights)
● Social Host Liability/ Host Responsibility
● Strict Penalty & Fines
● Enforcement of Fireworks Ordinance
Amending the current COSP Fireworks Ordinance will:
● Increase accountability
● Hold Property Owners Responsible**
● Hold Tenants Responsible
● Stronger Tools for Police/Code Enforcement
* Note: Approx. 70% of Property Owners live outside City limits Ordinance Amendment – General Overview
Serving Our Community with Courage, Integrity, and Innovation Expanded Prohibitions
● Continues existing prohibition on possession, sale, use, discharge of fireworks ● Extends liability to “Hosts”:
○ Owners/tenants held responsible for violations occurring on their own properties ○ Extends to violations occurring on public streets, sidewalks, and parks near private property Increased Penalties:
● First Offense
○ $1,000 administrative citation (each discharge)
● Second Offense within same 1-year period
○ $2,500 administrative citation (each discharge)
○ Potential additional reimbursement of public safety personnel costs Ordinance Amendment – General Overview
Serving Our Community with Courage, Integrity, and Innovation Proposed Ordinance Implementation / Timing:
● October 6, 2025: City Council Introduction of Ordinance ● October 20, 2025: City Council Adoption of Ordinance
● November 19, 2025: Ordinance becomes effective
Community Education/Outreach Campaign: Once adopted, PD Staff plan to deliver a comprehensive education/outreach campaign prior to New Year’s Eve Holiday.
Ordinance Amendment – General Overview
Serving Our Community with Courage, Integrity, and Innovation Staff recommends the City Council review the
proposed amendments, take public testimony,
and introduce the attached ordinance amending
the Fireworks Ordinance (Title 8) Chapter 8.42,
revising existing regulations pertaining to the
prohibition of fireworks within the City of San
Pablo.
QUESTIONS?
Staff Recommendation: