Just a handful of Bay Area cities will allow fireworks use on the Fourth

While most Bay Area cities ban fireworks purchases and their use during the Fourth of July, there are still several places where fireworks are allowed.

The state of California only allows the sale and discharge of “Safe and Sane” fireworks that don’t fly, explode, or shoot higher than 12 feet. With fire risk an ever present danger, many cities have adopted zero-tolerance policies that penalize illegal fireworks.

With restrictions in place throughout the region, a handful of Bay Area cities do allow both the sale and use of fireworks. They include Gilroy, Dublin, Union City, Newark, and Cloverdale.

Several of these cities started allowing the sale of fireworks in late June and will sell through the holiday weekend. Cities have differing laws on when residents can discharge fireworks, with some banning their use by midnight on July 4, and others allowing fireworks through the next day.

Discharging fireworks in these cities is banned in city parks and in unincorporated areas of adjoining counties. Penalties for illegal fireworks or for discharging fireworks illegally can result in fines ranging from hundreds of dollars to over $1,000.

Starting Friday, a new Alameda County ordinance penalizes the illegal use of fireworks in unincorporated parts of the county, holding property owners and tenants in these areas personally liable for allowing use on their properties.

Outside of the Bay Area, the San Joaquin County cities of Stockton, Lodi, Manteca, Tracy, Ripon, and Lathrop allow fireworks.

Other major Bay Area cities such as San Jose, Oakland, Fremont, and Hayward completely ban the sale, possession and use of any fireworks. Penalties in these cities carry heftier fines.

Violators in Hayward, for example, may face up to a $5,000 fine, while those in San Jose may see fines between $1,000 to $100,000 plus possible jail time, depending on the violation.

For residents looking for local legal fireworks shows and other community gatherings, several cities across the region are hosting events that are open to the public.

San Jose is hosting three different events on Saturday: a Rose, White & Blue Parade and Festival, between 9:45 a.m. and 2 p.m. at 1100 Shasta Ave.; the Blossom Valley Neighborhood Festival between 8:45 a.m. and 11a.m. at Miner Park; and a Drone show at Lake Cunningham Park, starting at 6 p.m. with a drone show set to begin at 9 p.m.

The city last year replaced its traditional firework show with a drone show after San Jose’s fireworks supplier in Yolo County suffered a massive warehouse explosion.

Gilroy’s annual fireworks show will start around 9:30 p.m., with the city launching fireworks from Gilroy High School.

California’s Great America in Santa Clara will host an all-ages Star-Spangled Nights show, starting at 9:40 p.m. on Saturday, with music, bright lights, and an all-you-can eat backyard barbecue for $40-$66.

The Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton will also host a fireworks show around 9:30 p.m. Saturday.