Lancaster Municipal Code Art. IV Explosives Permits

A. The terms "explosive" and "explosives" whenever used in this title shall mean any substance or combination of substances that is commonly used for the purpose of detonation and which, upon exposure to any external force or condition, is capable of a relatively instantaneous release of gas and heat. These terms shall include, but shall not necessarily be limited to, all of the following:

1. Substances determined to be Class A and Class B explosives as classified by the United States Department of Transportation;

2. Nitrocarbonitrate substances (blasting agent) as classified by the United States Department of Transportation;

3. Any material designated as an explosive by the State Fire Marshal;

4. Certain Class C explosives as designated by the United States Department of Transportation when listed in regulations adopted by the State Fire Marshal.

B. The terms "explosive" and "explosives" whenever used in this title shall not include the following:

1. Small arms ammunition of .75 caliber or less when designated as a Class C explosive by the United States Department of Transportation;

2. Fireworks regulated under Part 2 (commencing with Section 12500) of Division 11 of the Health and Safety Code.

(Prior zoning ord. § 505.1)

No quantity of explosives other than gunpowder in excess of 100 pounds, or gunpowder in excess of 750 pounds, shall be stored or kept in any place, house or building in the county of Los Angeles without a permit therefor from the commission and unless said explosives are contained in a magazine situated, constructed, operated and maintained in the manner described in Part 1 of Division 11 of the Health and Safety Code.

(Prior zoning ord. § 505.2)

Any person proposing to store or keep any quantity of gunpowder in excess of 750 pounds or any other explosives in excess of 100 pounds in any place, house or building in the unincorporated territory of the county of Los Angeles shall file application for a permit with the director, accompanied by the filing fee as required by resolution of the city council. Such application shall also verify that the applicant has submitted such data as is required by the county forester and fire warden.

(Prior zoning ord. § 505.3)

If the application is for a permit to store explosives for not more than 3 months and there is no permit in force for that location, the commission may grant the permit without a public hearing provided:

A. That the applicant has submitted such data as is required to the county forester and fire warden for approval prior to consideration by the commission; and

B. That said county forester and fire warden has indicated his approval in writing stating that such explosives may be safely stored at the proposed location.

(Prior zoning ord. § 505.5)

Unless an application is approved pursuant to Section 17.32.590 the commission shall hold a public hearing.

(Prior zoning ord. § 505.6)

(Ord. No. 1130, § 4(Exh. A), 5-27-2025)

The director shall immediately notify the county forester and fire warden of every application for a permit to keep or store explosives. Where a public hearing is to be held the director shall notify the county forester and fire warden of the time and place thereof.

(Prior zoning ord. § 505.7)

The county forester and fire warden, within 10 days after receipt of a copy of the application for a permit, shall furnish to the commission a report thereon as to whether or not in his opinion explosives in the amounts and kinds mentioned in the application can be kept at the place proposed without danger of serious injury to persons other than those employed in or about the magazine, or to property other than that of the applicant.

(Prior zoning ord. § 505.8)

At the time and place fixed for the hearing on the application the commission shall hear the same and any protests thereto, and upon the evidence and other matters brought to its attention during hearing, including the report of the county forester and fire warden, may approve such permit where the findings indicate that explosives in the amounts and kinds mentioned in the application can be kept at the place proposed without danger of serious injury to persons other than those employed in or about the magazine, or to property other than that of the applicant.

Where no hearing is required, the commission shall make similar findings based upon its investigation or the investigation of its staff, and upon the report of the county forester and fire warden, of the place where it is proposed to keep the explosives.

(Prior zoning ord. § 505.10)

(Ord. No. 1130, § 4(Exh. A), 5-27-2025)

The commission shall consider and may impose such conditions as it deems necessary to protect the public health, safety and general welfare, and to prevent material detriment to the property of other persons located in the vicinity of such proposed use. The commission may also approve the permit contingent upon compliance with applicable provisions of other ordinances.

(Prior zoning ord. § 505.11)

Nothing contained in this article shall apply to any explosive in transit in railway cars or other vehicles, or to any explosive awaiting transportation in or delivery from a railway car or other vehicle, or to the transfer of any such explosive from a car of one railway company to a car of a connecting railway company, provided that the car or other vehicle in which said explosive is being transported or is awaiting transportation or delivery, shall be kept locked or guarded; and provided further that the time during which such explosive is kept waiting transportation or delivery shall not exceed 24 hours.

(Prior zoning ord. § 505.12)