California · Health and Safety Code - HSC

HSC §12680: (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b) or (c), it is unlawful for any person to place, throw, discharge or ignite, or fire dangerous fireworks at or near any person or group of persons where there

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

It is unlawful to place, throw, discharge, or ignite dangerous fireworks at or near people where injury is likely, or intentionally to create chaos, fear, or panic. Licensed pyrotechnicians and special effects professionals are exempt.

Read the full statutory text

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b) or (c), it is unlawful for any person to place, throw, discharge or ignite, or fire dangerous fireworks at or near any person or group of persons where there is a likelihood of injury to that person or group of persons or when the person willfully places, throws, discharges, ignites, or fires the fireworks with the intent of creating chaos, fear, or panic. (b) Subdivision (a) does not apply to a person described in Section 12517 who uses special effects. For purposes of this subdivision, “special effects” means articles containing any pyrotechnic composition manufactured and assembled, designed, or discharged in connection with television, theater, or motion picture productions, which may or may not be presented before live audiences, and any other articles containing any pyrotechnic composition used for commercial, industrial, educational, recreational, or entertainment purposes when authorized by the authority having jurisdiction. (c) Subdivision (a) does not apply to a person holding a fireworks license issued pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 12570).

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.