Fire Department

All Fireworks Are Illegal In The City Of Long Beach

The City of Long Beach encourages residents and visitors to celebrate safely Fourth of July and all summer long to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the community. All personal fireworks, including sparklers and those labeled “safe and sane,” are prohibited within Long Beach city limits.

The below public safety response data and community engagement efforts were conducted by the City of Long Beach leading up to and during the Fourth of July holiday to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the community. 

• Community Education & Resources

  Each year, the City conducts community outreach to educate residents and encourage the reporting fireworks activity in Long Beach. The City’s annual Celebrate Safely campaign showcases the dangers of fireworks activity and encourages community members to engage in alternative fun, family-friendly ways to celebrate on Independence Day and all summer long.
  
  Celebrate Safely Flyer (English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog)
  Celebrate Safely Coloring Sheets
  
  Here’s how residents can get into the patriotic spirit, without fireworks:

  • Connect with neighbors by hosting a permitted block party.For more information and to apply residents may visit the City’s Special Events and Filming website. The deadline to apply for a block party permit is June 24, 2026. 
  • Host a fireworks-free backyard barbecue with family and friends.
  • Spend the day at the beach.
  • Go for a bike ride, hike or walk.
  • Have a water-balloon fight.
  • Enjoy an outdoor picnic in the park.
  • Host an outdoors movie marathon with family, friends or neighbors.
  • Have a fireworks-free backyard dance party with glow sticks, fiber optic wands or noise makers.
  • Make a patriotic craft with the family.
  • Throw a birthday party for the United States of America, complete with red, white and blue streamers and cake.

   

• Reporting Fireworks in Long Beach

  Community members are encouraged to report fireworks activity, which can contribute to the City’s enforcement efforts. To report fireworks usage and/or sales:

  • Submit a fireworks complaint by downloading the updated Go Long Beach App! Our Apple and Android apps are available for download. You can also submit a complaint on our Go Long Beach website.
  • Call the non-emergency number at the City Communications Center at (562) 435-6711. Call 9-1-1 for emergencies ONLY. People should not call 911 to report fireworks, unless the fireworks have caused an injury or fire.
  • Email the patrol division where the activity is occurring and provide addresses, videos, license plates, photos, and any other information that can be investigated. Please include your name, address, and phone number so that you can be contacted if necessary:
    • LBPDNorth@longbeach.gov
    • LBPDSouth@longbeach.gov
    • LBPDEast@longbeach.gov
    • LBPDWest@longbeach.gov 

• Fireworks Enforcement

  The City takes seriously the enforcement of firework activity. To prevent firework activity from taking place, the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) will conduct ongoing, citywide enforcement of firework activity in the weeks and days leading up to and on the Fourth of July.

  Under the City’s enhanced fireworks ordinance (Municipal Code Section 8.81.060), if someone ‘hosts’ an event with fireworks – as in property owners, tenants, property managers, landlords or anyone who organizes, supervises, officiates, conducts, controls or is in charge of fireworks activity on a property – they could be held responsible and could be liable for all response costs, which can be upwards of $20,000 per response or more based on the response, in addition to other fines. Anyone cited or arrested for fireworks violations may be faced with a $1,000 fine, sentenced to jail for six months, or both (Municipal Code Chapter 8.81).

  The LBPD will make every effort to respond to reports of fireworks, however, officers must witness the activity in order to make an arrest. Community members who witness illegal fireworks activity also have the option to sign a private person’s arrest form which will allow officers to take action after investigating an incident.

• The Dangers of Personal Fireworks

  While fireworks are a Fourth of July staple and an American pastime beloved by many, they are not safe in the hands of consumers. Amateur fireworks can cause personal injury, property damage and pose a serious health risk for veterans, people experiencing post-traumatic stress and pets. Fireworks set off in residential neighborhoods, especially those that are loud and unexpected, can trigger flashbacks for veterans and gun violence survivors.

  Every Fourth of July, animal shelters experience a spike of incoming dogs due to pets escaping their homes in fear of fireworks. To help support our fury friends, consider the following:

  • Safer At Home – Pets are more sensitive to loud noises, flashing lights and strong smells. It is best to secure your pets safely and comfortably indoors, preferably with a radio or TV turned on to soften jarring noises.
  • ID Tags Are the Ticket Home – Pets can become so frightened during fireworks that they may escape the noise by breaking through windows or door screens. All pets should always wear well-fitted collars with ID tags that have up-to-date contact information.
  • Microchip Your Pet Now – Obtaining a microchip will help ensure that a pet can be identified and reunited with their owner if they become lost or separated due to the fear of fireworks. Ensure your pet is microchipped and is registered with your current contact information. Microchips are available for purchase at LBACS clinics occurring every Monday, second Friday, and fourth Friday of the month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at LBACS (7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, CA 90815).

   

• Additional Safety Tips

  The City is also sharing the below recommendations to ensure everyone has a safe and celebratory Independence Day and summer:

  • Driving Safety – To prevent injury to yourself and others, designate a sober driver or use a taxi or ride-sharing service to get to and from your destination. Remember that driving under the influence includes alcohol, cannabis, some prescription and over the counter drugs, and illegal drugs. Distracted driving and driving over the designated speed limit can also pose serious threat to people’s safety; plan routes in advance and avoid texting or otherwise using a cell phone while driving and remain aware of speed limits.
  • Pedestrian Safety – Pedestrians and bicyclists should always maintain strict awareness of their surroundings, especially at night and when crossing streets, even when crossing in a marked crosswalk, to ensure their safety while on the road.
  • Grilling Safety – Keep grills well away from the home, deck railings and out from underneath eaves and overhanging branches. Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area. Keep grill clean by removing grease buildup from the grills and trays below the grill. Never leave a grill unattended.
  • Water Safety – Always supervise children closely, even when lifeguards are present, and do not rely on floatation devices. Never swim alone and, when swimming in the ocean, always swim near an open lifeguard station.
  • Sun Safety – Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water; apply broad spectrum sunscreen that blocks from both UVA and UVB rays and has a SPF of 15 or higher before going outside; and wear protective hats and sunglasses when out in the sun.
  • Heat Exhaustion and Stroke – Be aware of signs of heat-related illnesses and ways to respond. If signs of heat stroke are present or loss of consciousness occurs, call 9-1-1 immediately. Never leave a child, adult or pet alone inside a vehicle on a warm day. Additional heat safety information is available at ready.gov/heat.
  • Mosquito Preparedness – Mosquito bites can cause more than skin irritation. Mosquitoes can transmit germs when they bite and can carry and transmit the West Nile virus (WNV), Zika virus, the parasite that causes malaria, dengue virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus and others. Ensure outdoor containers, including kiddie pools, potted plants, bird baths and pet water bowls, remain dry and clean; clean and chlorinate swimming pools and drain water from pool covers; and install screens on doors and windows. Additional mosquito preparedness tips are available here.

   

• Independence Day 2025 Public Safety Response and Community Engagement

  Reports of Fireworks Activity

  On Independence Day, the City received 646 reports of fireworks activity via various platforms. Below is a breakdown of the fireworks reporting options that are available year-round to community members and the number of reports submitted so far this year and on July 4: 

  • 549 fireworks related reports submitted via Go Long Beach, 209 of which submitted on July 4 alone.
  • 1,503 fireworks related calls to the City’s Communications Center, 422 of which submitted on July 4 alone.
  • 44 fireworks related reports emailed to the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) patrol divisions, 15 of which submitted on July 4 alone. 
  Community Engagement
  

  Each year, the City conducts community outreach through the Celebrate Safely campaign to educate residents and encourage the reporting fireworks activity in Long Beach.  

  • 82 block party permit fees waived to people who pledged to be fireworks free on July 4.
  • Over 100 social media posts across City social pages, organically reaching more than 443,000 users and resulting in nearly 15,000 engagements.
  • The City launched an advertising paid social media campaign on Facebook and Instagram.Two of the top performing ads reachedover153,000 users alone.
  • 350 public transit signage deployed through Long Beach Transit 
  • LBPD officers and Neighborhood Safety Bike Team officers distributed approximately 2,500 information leaflets. 

  Fire Department Response Efforts

  As thousands of people flocked to the City’s public beaches and parks and gathered at home with family and friends, public safety personnel from the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) and Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) were on duty and prepared to respond to increased emergency calls for service. Below are key data points regarding LBFD calls for service and fireworks related incidents on July 4:

  • 13 fireworks-related incidents responded to by LBFD. 
  • 3 commercial structures impacted by fireworks-related activity. 
  • 1 injury resulting from fireworks-related activity. 
  • 184 swim rescues and 3 boat rescues from beaches and waterways performed by LBFD personnel. This is a more than 868% increase in swim rescues typically performed ona Friday in the summertime.

  Public Safety & Enforcement

  Leading up to and on the Fourth of July, LBPD officers were strategically assigned throughout the city to deter criminal activity, conduct enforcement and prevent significant incidents from occurring, resulting in the below enforcement efforts:  

  • Approximately 51 fireworks pieces seized as a result of direct enforcement efforts conducted May 31 through July 5, 34 seized on July 4 alone.
  • 5 fireworks-related citations on July 4.
  • 8 felony arrests and 7 misdemeanor arrests made on July 4. 

  Incidents throughout the day on July 4 required LBPD to reallocate resources to ensure appropriate response and maintain public safety. 
  
  City Communications Center Statistics

  During the Fourth of July, the City’s Communications Center experiences a significant increase in calls pertaining to various other holiday-related quality of life incidents beyond fireworks, including disturbances from parties, loud music, fights and parking. The Communications Center has 22 incoming 9-1-1 circuits, and, during the peak periods on the Fourth of July, up to 12 of those circuits were used simultaneously, resulting in zero busy signals for callers. On July 4, Call Center staff:  

  • Received 2,620 total calls (9-1-1 and the non-emergency line) from community members, a 54% increase in calls compared to an average day.
  • Facilitated1,104total calls for service.
  • Received 422 reports of fireworks-related incidents (9-1-1 and non-emergency lines), with many incidents involving multiple callers.
  • Received an average of seven calls per minute on both 9-1-1 and the non-emergency lines during the peak period of 8:30 to 9:15 p.m., with a spike of 85 calls managed in just 15 minutes during that time period.
  • Dispatch Center staffing augmented by 25% between the hours of 7 and 11 p.m. to accommodate the anticipated surge in call volume. 

• City of Long Beach Illegal Fireworks Drone Pilot Program Community FAQ

  This July 4th, the City of Long Beach will launch a drone pilot program to determine feasibility of drone use and to support public safety during the holiday. While all consumer fireworks, including “safe and sane,” are illegal in Long Beach (except for permitted professional shows), illegal fireworks continue to present fire risks, injury risks, noise impacts and thousands of complaints each year.

  This FAQ outlines what the pilot is and what it is not, with privacy, enforcement and operational boundaries.

  The City is using drones for two distinct purposes:

  1. Drone Feasibility Pilot 
     Exploring whether drones can be effectively deployed to help the City enhance safety, provide situational awareness, support limited enforcement, detect fire risks and improve long‑term planning.
  1. Police Department Operational Use 
     LBPD will continue to use its existing, policy‑driven Drone for Patrol program to support calls for service, including fireworks‑related calls.

  Section 1: DRONE FEASIBILITY PILOT

  What is the purpose of this part of the pilot?

  The drone feasibility pilot is designed to evaluate whether drones can effectively be deployed to help the City:

  • Gather location‑level information on illegal fireworks use for future planning.
  • Enhance real‑time situational awareness for LBPD and LBFD.
  • Improve Citywide decisions about public outreach, safety messaging and resource deployment.
  • Explore drone use for early fire detection, especially in high-activity zones.
  • Determine whether drone operations should be expanded into a more structured 2027 model.

  Who is operating the drones?

   This is a City‑led effort:

  • All drones are flown by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified City personnel.
  • No third‑party vendors are used. 

  Where will drones be deployed?

  Drones may be in operation:

  • Citywide, to understand the deployment capabilities throughout the city.
  • In areas with historically high fireworks activity, based on multi‑year call-for-service patterns.

  Will the drones be used for enforcement?

  • While enforcement is not the primary objective of Drone Feasibility part of the pilot, if illegal fireworks activity is observed, enforcement support remains possible. See Section 2, below.
  • Drone operators may relay information to police officers and firefighters when necessary for safety.

  This reflects normal public safety practice: personnel on the ground or in the air may act when they directly observe a violation.

  Will this program issue citations automatically?

  No.

  • Drones will not issue citations.
  • Drone footage will not be used to conduct automated enforcement.

  What privacy protections are in place related to the Drone Feasibility Pilot?

  • The pilot is structured to assess the utility of drones.
  • The City will not use facial recognition technology on footage captured during the drone feasibility pilot. The drone feasibility pilot may capture location-level information.
  • Footage is managed according to standard City record retention and privacy policies.
  • Footage may be subject to disclosure under the Public Records Act, though exemptions (e.g., investigative, safety-sensitive) may apply.
  • The City remains committed to responsible transparency.  

  Why is the City exploring drones now?

  Since the 2020 Fireworks Action Plan:

  • Fireworks-related calls fell 75% from 8,882 (2020) to 2,196 (2024)
  • However, identifying exact locations of illegal fireworks remains a major challenge.
  • Public Safety teams are very busy during the 4th of July holiday and drones may supplement resource allocation.

  Are other cities using drones for similar purposes?

  Yes. Other cities in California and nationwide use drones for:

  • Fireworks detection
  • Aerial situational awareness
  • Fire prevention
  • Public safety
  • Faster response
  • Data‑driven planning

  Will drones be visible or audible?

  Most flights will occur at moderate altitudes. Drones may be visible but are not expected to be disruptive.

  What happens after this year?

  The City will evaluate:

  • The effectiveness of deploying drones
  • How drones may be useful in supporting future goals related to fireworks
  • Community feedback
  • Whether a more structured 2027 model should be developed

  Where can I learn more about fireworks in Long Beach?

  Visit www.longbeach.gov/fireworks for:

  • Safe celebration alternatives
  • How to report illegal fireworks
  • Fireworks enforcement information
  • Fireworks dangers
  • Safety tips
  • Historical July 4th statistics

  Section 2: POLICE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONAL USE

  How will police personnel use drones on the 4th of July?

  In addition to the LBPD’s regular planning and preparation to ensure the public remains safe during the July 4th holiday, the LBPD will also utilize its Drone for Patrol program to support other drone equipped City departments and Citywide efforts in mitigating illegal fireworks activity. LBPD Drone for Patrol Operators will continue to utilize LBPD’s drone program to prioritize assistingLBPD with managing major incidents and responding to calls for service, including calls of illegal fireworks activity. When evidentiary images of illegal fireworks are captured from identified locations, either by officers or LBPD Drones, these images will be submitted to the City Prosecutor as violations of Long Beach Municipal Code Section 8.81(Fireworks). As with all police operations, LBPD officers dispatched to illegal fireworks calls will operate LBPD drones (if available) in accordance with constitutional and privacy rights, all applicable laws and policies, civil rights, and civil liberties.

  Illegal fireworks pose a safety risk to the public and the LBPD joins the Long Beach Fire Department in encouraging the public to avoid using illegal fireworks on the 4th of July.

  What policies dictate police use of drones? 

  The Police Department has police officers who possess an FAA Part 107 certificate to operate a Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS). The officers routinely deploy drones to support patrol operations, such as, but not limited to, public safety and life preservation missions, crowd control situations, critical facility checks, search for missing persons and SWAT tactical missions. Police Department drone operators adhere to Federal Aviation Administration regulations. Drones are used in accordance with constitutional and privacy rights, all applicable laws and policies, civil rights, and civil liberties. To view the special order, visit https://citydocs.longbeach.gov/LBPDPublicDocs/DocView.aspx?id=209371&dbid=0&repo=LBPD-PUBDOCS

  Does the police department operate a “Drone as a First Responder” program?

  No. Police drone operators must maintain a visual line of sight with the sUAS while in flight, from launch to recovery. To view the LBPD’s special order, visit https://citydocs.longbeach.gov/LBPDPublicDocs/DocView.aspx?id=209371&dbid=0&repo=LBPD-PUBDOCS

  How does the Police Department adhere to privacy rights?

  Absent a search warrant, consent or exigent circumstances, the drone operator shall not intentionally record or transmit images of any location in which a person would have a reasonable expectation of privacy. To view the LBPD’s special order, visit https://citydocs.longbeach.gov/LBPDPublicDocs/DocView.aspx?id=209371&dbid=0&repo=LBPD-PUBDOCS

  How does the police department maintain images? 

  To view the LBPD’s special order, including Image Retention, visit https://citydocs.longbeach.gov/LBPDPublicDocs/DocView.aspx?id=209371&dbid=0&repo=LBPD-PUBDOCS

  Section 3: DISPATCH & 9‑1‑1 CENTER INFORMATION

  How will drone information support dispatch operations?

  • Drone observations may help confirm general locations of fireworks activity when callers cannot.
  • Drone operators may relay information to dispatchers, officers or firefighters.
  • Drone information supplements normal 9‑1‑1 and field operations; it does not replace traditional verification by City personnel.

  Will 9‑1‑1 calls and drone observations be connected?

  They may. Information from various sources, including drone activity, officer observations, 9‑1‑1 calls and non‑emergency reports, may be reviewed together to improve:

  • Fireworks planning
  • Fire risk assessment
  • Community outreach
  • Operational effectiveness

  All records are handled under City retention rules and applicable privacy laws.