Sacramento County, CA

05/24/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/24/2022 12:57

Sac County Adopts Social Host Ordinance

The Board of Supervisors, at its May 24 meeting, adopted an ordinance, also known as a "host ordinance," amending Sacramento County Code Chapter 4.54 to add host liability and penalties for violations of county code relating to Fireworks. The ordinance will go into effect June 24, 2022.

"Host," as it relates to this ordinance, means a person who knowingly permits or allows fireworks to be lit, exploded, or sold on private property owned or controlled by the person, and the person knows or reasonably should have known that the fireworks would have been lit, exploded or sold.

Amending Sacramento County Code Chapter 4.54 creates new host responsibilities that include liability and penalties with increased fines for violations of the county code relating to Fireworks and provides an additional tool for reducing harm caused by use of illegal fireworks. Penalties for violations are as follows:

  • $1,000 for the first violation
  • $2,500 for the second violation within one year of the first violation
  • $5,000 for each additional violation within one year of the first violation
  • $10,000 for each violation that occurs within the American River Parkway

The ordinance to add host liability for illegal fireworks allows fire, law enforcement (including park rangers) and code enforcement agencies to hold the owner or person in charge of real property or conducting an illegal fireworks event responsible for costs of response associated with the presence of emergency personnel, the discharge of illegal fireworks on private property or the American River Parkway, and any aiding and abetting the discharge of illegal fireworks.

How to identify legal and illegal fireworks:

  • All legal fireworks are called Safe and Sane
  • All legal fireworks bear the state fire marshal's seal
  • Anything that goes up in the air, travels or explodes is illegal and dangerous

Residents should report illegal fireworks sales and usage at the following phone numbers/emails:

Aren't sure who or how to report? Call 3-1-1 to be connected to the right place.