The City of Sacramento reported $267,000 in citations issued since June, following the City Council’s approval of steeper penalties for illegal fireworks. From July 2 to July 5, the Sacramento Fire Department issued most of the fines totaling $192,000, while the City’s Code Enforcement Division contributed $75,000, according to the City of Sacramento.
The Fire Department focused on enforcement actions across the city, while Code Enforcement targeted areas such as schools, playgrounds, and critical infrastructure. Officials reported 44 citations this year, down from 55 last year, but the total amount of fines more than doubled compared to the roughly $100,000 issued the previous year, as reported by the City of Sacramento.
The City of Sacramento has updated its fireworks ordinance, with fines of up to $10,000 for violations near parks, schools, or critical infrastructure. Fire Marshal Jason Lee said, “This year’s data shows that our new approach is working,” adding, “We’re holding people accountable for unsafe behavior and focusing our enforcement efforts where they’re needed most. These citations send a clear message: illegal fireworks won’t be tolerated in Sacramento.” The City of Sacramento is also using a heat map, based on fire dispatch calls and public reports, to identify areas with the most illegal activity and target enforcement.
