Oxnard is set to increase fines for fireworks from $1,000 to $2,000 for certain violations.
The City Council approved preliminary changes to its fireworks ordinance on April 7 in a 6-0 vote. Councilmember Aaron Starr was absent. On April 21, the council gave final approval.
“Every year, we receive more than 1,000 fireworks-related complaints,” said Cmdr. Miguel Serrato with the Oxnard Police Department. He worked with the city attorney’s office on the item.
When will the fine increase begin?
The increase is set to take effect May 21, said Michelle McCarron, assistant city attorney for Oxnard.
Under the ordinance, a civil citation for a fireworks violation carries a $2,000 fine, while a misdemeanor violation is capped at $1,000 and may include jail time.
The civil citation does not go on a person’s record and does not appear on a background check, McCarron said. “It does carry the heavier fine but has fewer consequences for a person’s future,” she said.
A misdemeanor citation, capped at $1,000, is reported to the Department of Justice and could impede licensing or certain employment, she said.
State law allows cities to increase civil fines to $2,000 but not misdemeanor penalties, McCarron said.
The ordinance allows police officers to issue either a civil or misdemeanor citation, with that determination left to the individual officer.
“Historically, the city and our officers have issued more civil citations than misdemeanor citations,” she said.
The ordinance also expands prohibited activities and adds regulatory requirements for public fireworks or pyrotechnic displays. Those displays now require a permit from the fire department and state licensing, she said.
“If they were to engage in either of those categories, they could be subject to civil or criminal citations for violations of that portion of the ordinance,” she said.
The ordinance further distinguishes between civil, misdemeanor and violations with “safe and sane” fireworks, labeled as such in some stores.
Citations for “safe and sane” fireworks start at $250 and are based on state law and the Health and Safety Code, McCarron said.
“Some people buy those not understanding that they are not legal in many places in the state,” she said.
How many fireworks calls for service have there been?
According to an April 21 staff report, fireworks-related incidents have declined over the past five years but remain significant.
From May 28 to July 4, 2025, police received 582 fireworks-related calls for service. There were 858 calls between those months in 2024, 631 in 2023, 769 in 2022 and 1,084 in 2021.
Wes Woods II covers West County for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at wesley.woodsii@vcstar.com, 805-437-0262 or @JournoWes.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Oxnard set to double fireworks civil violations
Reporting by Wes Woods II, Ventura County Star / Ventura County Star
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