Avalon Municipal Code Ch. 4-16 Fireworks

[6-16-2026 by Ord. No. 1230-26, eff. 7-16-2026]

a. The use, possession, sale, and discharge of fireworks within the City of Avalon pose a significant threat to public health, safety, and welfare due to the City's unique island environment, wildfire risk, limited emergency access, and dense residential and visitor populations.

b. Prohibiting fireworks is necessary to reduce the risk of fires, injuries, and disturbances to residents, visitors, wildlife, and emergency services personnel.

[6-16-2026 by Ord. No. 1230-26, eff. 7-16-2026]

As used in this chapter "fireworks" means and includes:

a. Any combustible or explosive composition or any substance or combination of substances or articles prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or an audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation, whether manufactured, homemade or improvised;

b. Fireworks classified by the State Fire Marshal as "dangerous fireworks" and as "safe and sane fireworks" pursuant to Health and Safety Code Sections 12561 and 12562;

c. Any pyrotechnic devices for which the State Fire Marshal requires a license to manufacture, sell, transport or operate; and

d. Firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, roman candles, cherry bombs, sparklers, chasers, snakes or other fireworks of like or similar construction and any fireworks containing any explosive or flammable compound or substance.

[6-16-2026 by Ord. No. 1230-26, eff. 7-16-2026]

It shall be unlawful for any person to use, give, possess, sell, offer for sale, store, ignite, discharge, or otherwise cause to explode any fireworks within the City of Avalon unless a permit authorizing such possession, sale, use or discharge has been issued by the Fire Chief to the person or responsible party using, selling, or discharging or found in possession of said fireworks, and unless such person is in possession of a valid pyrotechnic operator's license issued by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

[6-16-2026 by Ord. No. 1230-26, eff. 7-16-2026]

a. Whenever a peace officer charged with the enforcement of any provision of the Municipal Code determines that a violation of this chapter has occurred, the peace officer shall have the authority to issue an administrative citation to any person responsible for the violation.

b. Whenever a peace officer charged with the enforcement of this chapter determines that a violation of the chapter has occurred, the peace officer may issue an administrative citation for each violation found to have occurred.

c. Citations issued pursuant to this chapter shall carry administrative fines as follows:

(1) $250 for the first and subsequent violations of having "safe and sane" fireworks.

(2) $500 for the first and subsequent violations involving the possession of illegal fireworks.

(3) $500 for the violations involving the discharge of fireworks within the city limits of Avalon.

(4) $1,000 for violations involving the discharge of fireworks in the Very High Fire Severity Zone.

[6-16-2026 by Ord. No. 1230-26, eff. 7-16-2026]

Any person responsible for a fire, emergency response, or public safety incident resulting from the use or discharge of fireworks may be held financially responsible for the costs of fire suppression, emergency medical services, law enforcement response, evacuation, and related damages to the extent permitted by law.