Watsonville Municipal Code § 3308.2 Safe and Sane and Dangerous Fireworks

No person shall discharge or otherwise display dangerous fireworks except in accordance with a permit issued pursuant to this chapter.

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no fireworks shall be discharged or displayed except when the discharge or display is open to the public. For this purpose, “open to the public” means that the public may be present at the site of the discharge or display, either with or without a charge to be present, and not merely that the public may see or hear the discharge or display from off site.

Fireworks shall only be discharged or displayed during the following after dusk, but not later than 10:00 p.m., except that on New Year’s Eve Day fireworks may be displayed until not later than 1:00 a.m. of the following day.

(a) Fireworks shall only be discharged or displayed on New Year’s Eve Day, July 4, any day appointed by the President of the United States as a one time celebration of a holiday, fast, or thanksgiving, or any day on which an event of benefit to a significant segment of the community occurs, provided the discharge or display is held in connection with the event.

(b) Up to a maximum of three days per calendar year for private events held on commercial private property, provided the discharge or display is held in connection with the event.

(c) Any person desiring to discharge or display fireworks shall submit a completed application to the Fire Code Official no later than 60 days prior to the discharge or display on an approved form. No application submitted later than 60 days prior to the proposed discharge or display shall be accepted. No application shall be deemed complete, and therefore deemed made and submitted, unless and until all information and materials required, and any other materials and information reasonably required by the Fire Code Official, shall have been received and verified by the Fire Code Official.

An application to discharge or display dangerous fireworks shall include required information, and the Fire Code Official may require additional information in the exercise of his or her sole discretion, and shall be made on a form devised by the Fire Code Official, including information on the applicant; sponsoring organization; pyrotechnician with a copy of a current pyrotechnics license issued by the State of California; site of the discharge; and site plan.

The site plan shall include the point where fireworks will be discharged; fall out area dimensions and proximity to roads, buildings, trees and overhead obstructions; description fall out area for size of fireworks being utilized; audience location; location of all nearby roads, buildings, trees, overhead obstructions; proximity of pyrotechnician to firing site; date, time and duration of discharge or display; type of discharge, including number and size.

Proof of general liability insurance in an amount not less than five million dollars, with no deductible, to include insurance of the general public against damage to property and injury and/or death to persons as a result of the discharge or display, and naming the City and each of its officers, agents and employees as additional insured. The pyrotechnician supervising the display shall also be named as additional insured. Also, proof of workers compensation insurance as required by California law, as well as a statement that required insurance shall not be cancelled or modified in any manner without prior notification to the City.

The permit holder may be required to furnish a bond in an amount deemed adequate by the Fire Code Official for the payment of all potential damages to public property by reason of the permitted display, and arising from any acts of the permit holder, the agent, employees or subcontractors.

A statement that the following reports will be filed by the pyrotechnician in charge, as needed or required: a verbal report within 24 hours of a fire requiring emergency action or response as a result of fireworks firing, or injury or death to the public or crew; within 10 days following the discharge or display, a report to the Fire Code Official or his or her designee of any duds or misfires including manufacturer’s name, type and size, and a brief account of the cause of injury to any person from the fireworks and such person’s name and address; within 10 days following the discharge or display, violations of the California Health and Safety Code relating to public display of fireworks; within 10 days following the discharge or display, names of all licensed and unlicensed assistants.