City of Fullerton Adopts Urgency Ordinance to Crack Down on Illegal Fireworks with Increased Fines and Zero-Tolerance Enforcement
FULLERTON, CA. – In a strong show of commitment to community safety and quality of life, the Fullerton City Council has adopted an urgency ordinance to immediately strengthen the City’s regulations on illegal fireworks. The urgency ordinance establishes significantly increased fines and enforces a zero-tolerance policy aimed at stopping the use and possession of illegal fireworks throughout the city.
The Council’s swift action reflects its determination to protect Fullerton neighborhoods from the threats posed by illegal fireworks, including fires, injuries, property damage, and disruptions to residents, pets, and those with sensory sensitivities.
Effective immediately, the updated ordinance includes the following penalties:
- $3,000 fine for the first offense
- $5,000 fine for the second offense
- $7,000 fine for third and subsequent offenses
To ensure accountability, the ordinance also includes:
- Parental liability: Parents or guardians of minors who use illegal fireworks will be cited.
- Property owner responsibility: Owners who permit or fail to prevent the use or sale of dangerous fireworks on or adjacent to their property will be held accountable.
The City is taking a proactive enforcement approach this year, with:
- Increased patrols throughout neighborhoods
- Targeted response to resident-submitted complaints and tips
“This urgency ordinance makes it clear that illegal fireworks have no place in our community,” said Mayor Fred Jung. “The City Council stands united in protecting the safety, peace, and well-being of our residents.”
Residents are reminded that only Safe and Sane fireworks purchased from licensed vendors within Fullerton are permitted—and only on July 4th from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM on private property. All other fireworks—including aerial, explosive, or erratic types—are strictly prohibited under state and local law.
To mark the holiday in a safe and spirited way, the community is invited to attend Fullerton’s 4th of July Celebration in the Downtown Plaza from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, featuring live music, family-friendly activities, food vendors, and a 20-minute professional fireworks display to cap off the evening.
The City urges everyone to celebrate responsibly and respectfully. Violators will face immediate and significant penalties.
To report illegal fireworks, call the Fullerton Police Department’s non-emergency line at (714) 738-3165 or email ReportFireworks@fullertonpd.org.
For more information on fireworks regulations, safety guidelines, and holiday events, visit:
www.cityoffullerton.com/fireworks
In California, negligently discharging a firearm, as defined by Penal Code 246.3, a misdemeanor conviction may result in a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to one year in county jail. Shit, they might as well get out the AKs and do it up right.
I don’t think you can run a lawless town 364 days per year and then expect everyone to sober up on July 4.
Tomorrow should turn out to be very profitable for the City Of Fullerton if they are truly out there and willing to enforce this illegal fireworks Ordinance.
A Fullerton firework supplier busted with only 8,000 lbs of July 4 contraband. Tim Tillman we’ll now have to find a new line of work
They have never done shit about it and this year will be different, they say.
Agreed. It’s like a warzone. I always leave town for July 4th just because of it. Fines mean nothing unless there is enforcement, and I am not optimistic. Additionally, I know from experience that it’s super hard to find someone in the act. Drones would help, some cities are using them for fireworks enforcement.
It’s torture for animals and a lot of people with PTSD. People are selfish and have no empathy or compassion for others. This law is like the boy sticking is finger in the dike.
Move to Europe, crybaby.
I’m heavily involved with first responders and veterans with PTSD. It’s torture for many of them as well as many animals. You’re apparently the selfish idiot I was referring to.
Did these veterans ask you to bitch on their behalf?
No, he does that for free.
LOL! I’ll believe it when I see it, or read an accounting of the number of citations after the fact. All they care about is keeping the big houses in the hills from burning down.
In the flatlands where most people live the same people light off illegal aerial fireworks and some sort of ground ordinance every year, some of them within spitting distance of the police station, and nobody ever gets caught because the cops say they have to see it happening.
They just put of press releases to make it look like they’re actually doing something.
Last year at the evening 4th of July celebration downtown I personally encountered six Fullerton cops just standing around as security on Harbor Blvd. and Commonwealth in the closed off street. No way FPD has enough officers to police fireworks. Who are they kidding?
The news broadcast has shown 6 fireworks fires and explosions from Los Angeles to Simi Valley to Northern California of homes storing illegal fireworks purchased in Nevada or Mexico. It is a problem everyone should take seriously.
Might not be so bad this year with ICE around.
Yeah, la familia get pissed when Abuela get deported cuz you setting off cherry bombs in the driveway!
Schools and courthouses are all closed today. We just follow the sound to your front door. We even have our masks to filter out the smoke.
By -admin- ?
Has FFFF contracted with the Observer for their content?
No, the blog just reposts FPD press releases now.
I’m confused.
A few weeks back, the Observer blatantly copied a press release from the Orange County Water District and ran it in the Observer under the Observer’s byline. Now they have a story attributed to a City of Fullerton press release that’s been completely rewritten by the Observer, but still posted with a City of Fullerton byline.
Which is it? Do you write a story and post it under your name and reprint press releases from others under their name, or is it a mix and match on a whim?
The Observers complete rewrite of the City’s new fireworks ordnance really shouldn’t be attributed to the City.
But we’re talking about the Observer.
Observer conveniently removing Jung’s quote, which a city staffer probably wrote for him, is typical Saskia Kennedy pettiness. It is becoming more and more fake by the issue.
Why? For what purpose? Very vindictive behavior.
You just pinned the tail on the donkey!
Since this is a city ordinance, the fines are civil and the prosecutor is the Dick Jones law firm. Nothing will happen.
Did anyone else catch that part in the City’s press release under ‘Property owner responsibility’, where the property owner is responsible for ‘the use or sale of dangerous fireworks on or ADJACENT to their property’?
I’m responsible for illegal acts by my neighbor?
L. R., better rat on your neighbor before they rat on you.
This year was as bad as any before. I saw drones flying over areas where illegal fireworks were being launched. Don’t know if they were from the police. If so, they should have plenty of evidence for their big fines to use for new SWAT toys. If not? Well, then they can always say they tried. They can’t lose, so give them another raise.
Performance was never expected. The city just needed to look like it was doing something.
8 year old in Buena Park was killed by illegal fireworks. Doing something is better than the alternative.
You are the exact type of person who was appeased by this nothingburger crack down.
The weeks before the 4th were the quietest in years thanks to ICE. The day of the 4th was just as bad or worse than previous years. FPD did absolutely nothing.
Shocking!!
How did the cop horses fare during Friday’s bike parade that traversed down Wilshire?
I was there with my family. At times, the horses were acting a bit chaotic with so many bikes and bike riders around them. Much more than was necessary. Better to give them the day off next year. Just my two cents.
Talk is cheap. I’ll believe when I see it.