Fireworks are legal in Fontana only if they carry the California State Fire Marshal’s Safe and Sane seal, and only during a narrow window around the Fourth of July. Sales run from June 28 through July 5, and you can light them on those same days between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. Anything else — aerial fireworks, firecrackers, or Safe and Sane items used outside those hours — can trigger city fines from $2,500 to $10,000 and a state misdemeanor on top.
What Counts as Legal
Fontana permits only Safe and Sane fireworks. These are ground-based devices like fountains, sparklers, and novelty items that stay in one spot. They don’t explode, launch into the air, or dart along the ground. Legal products carry the State Fire Marshal’s Seal of Registration printed on the packaging.1Legal Information Institute. 19 CCR 987.6 – State Fire Marshals Seal of Registration No seal, not legal — regardless of where you bought it.
Prohibited across San Bernardino County: M-80s, bottle rockets, firecrackers, roman candles, and mortars.2City of Fontana. Fireworks Information If it flies, explodes, or moves unpredictably, it’s banned. The city and the San Bernardino County Fire Department enforce a zero-tolerance policy, so simply having these items is enough to get cited.
When You Can Buy Them
Licensed booths open at noon on June 28 and keep selling through July 5. Hours shift slightly by day:2City of Fontana. Fireworks Information
- June 28: 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- June 29 through July 5: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily
Buying outside this window or from an unlicensed seller is itself a violation. Sticking to a city-authorized booth is also the easiest way to confirm you’re getting products that actually carry the State Fire Marshal seal.
When and Where You Can Light Them
Discharge is allowed between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. on June 28 through July 5.2City of Fontana. Fireworks Information Lighting anything before 9 a.m., after 11 p.m., or on any date outside that range is citable even if the fireworks are the legal kind.
Location is just as strict. Fontana Municipal Code Section 15-616 limits use to private property or public parks and areas approved by the fire chief.2City of Fontana. Fireworks Information You need the owner’s permission before using anyone else’s property. Parking lots, vacant lots, public streets, and sidewalks are off-limits. Keep well clear of dry brush, structures, and anything flammable. Portions of the city north of Summit Avenue, west of Interstate 15, and east of Lytle Creek Road are designated high fire hazard areas where additional restrictions may apply, so check before lighting if you’re in that part of town.
City Fines for Illegal Fireworks
Fontana’s administrative fines for possessing or using illegal fireworks run from $2,500 to $10,000.2City of Fontana. Fireworks Information Because these are administrative citations, you don’t have to be convicted of a crime to owe the money. Property owners can also be cited for allowing illegal fireworks to be stored or used on their land.3San Bernardino County Fire Protection District. Fireworks Safety
Intent doesn’t matter. Every violation is treated the same, and not knowing the rules is not a defense. A neighbor’s complaint or a patrol officer’s observation is enough to generate a citation.
State Criminal Penalties
California law adds a criminal layer on top of the city fines. Under Health and Safety Code Section 12700, a general fireworks violation is a misdemeanor carrying a $500 to $1,000 fine, up to one year in county jail, or both. Penalties scale with the weight of dangerous fireworks involved:4California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Fireworks Violations Reference
- Under 25 pounds: misdemeanor, $500 to $1,000 fine, up to one year in jail, or both. A second conviction raises the minimum fine to $1,000.
- 25 to 100 pounds: $1,000 to $5,000, up to one year in jail, or both.
- 100 to 5,000 pounds: $5,000 to $10,000, up to one year in county jail or state prison, or both.
- Over 5,000 pounds: $10,000 to $50,000, up to one year in county jail or state prison, or both.
These criminal penalties stack with Fontana’s administrative fines. If illegal fireworks start a fire, the person responsible also faces potential charges for the resulting property damage or injuries.3San Bernardino County Fire Protection District. Fireworks Safety
What Happens if Someone Gets Hurt or Property Burns
Even with perfectly legal Safe and Sane items, you’re personally responsible for any injury or damage. A fountain that tips and scorches a neighbor’s fence, a spark that burns a bystander — the liability lands on you. Hosting the activity on your property means accepting responsibility for what happens there.
Homeowners and renters insurance usually covers fireworks incidents under personal liability, but not without limits. If an insurer finds the damage was intentional or resulted from gross negligence, the claim can be denied. Using illegal fireworks almost certainly qualifies as the kind of reckless behavior that voids coverage, so fire damage or medical bills can land entirely on you on top of every fine and criminal penalty.
How to Report Illegal Fireworks
To report illegal fireworks in Fontana, call the San Bernardino County Fire Department at 909-428-8890 or contact the Fontana Police Department. Fire and law enforcement run active operations through the Fourth of July season to intercept illegal fireworks before they reach neighborhoods.3San Bernardino County Fire Protection District. Fireworks Safety Specific reports help patrols concentrate on the most dangerous activity rather than spreading thin across the city.