Legislation could authorize SFPD officers to fine people for illegal fireworks

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Illegal fireworks continue to light up San Francisco skies each Fourth of July, raising concerns among residents and city leaders about safety and enforcement.

From above, fireworks can be seen throughout the city around the holiday, despite a city code that prohibits their use. The ordinance states that no person shall "fire or discharge any fireworks of any kind" in San Francisco.

For longtime Mission District resident Richard Segovia, the issue has become an annual concern.

"Around 7 p.m. it's a war zone. It starts popping. People going crazy," said Segovia. "On top of that, it just goes on until 2 in the morning."

Segovia, who has lived in the neighborhood for more than 70 years, said the potential for fires is what worries him most.

"What concerns me is these big fireworks hit some of these roofs and could start a major fire. What happens to the people that own these homes?" he said.

City officials say enforcement of the fireworks ban has historically been difficult. While the prohibition exists, police officers have lacked a mechanism to cite offenders.

"When officers respond to fireworks calls, there is often no citation they can issue. The ban exists on paper, but there's no practical enforcement mechanism attached to it," said San Francisco Supervisor Alan Wong.

Supervisor Wong, alongside the city's fire and police chiefs, announced new legislation aimed at strengthening enforcement against illegal fireworks.

San Francisco Police Chief Derrick Lew said the lack of enforcement tools has been a challenge for officers responding to calls.

"I think our officers getting sent to calls for service and not having real tools to deal with it is an issue, so if it passes offices have a real way to deter and perhaps deal with these issues in a better," Lew said.

Under the proposed legislation, a first offense would result in an infraction with a fine ranging from $125 to $250. A second offense within five years would be considered a misdemeanor.

The police department would need to develop systems to track repeat offenses, Chief Lew said.

"How is the police department going to track between the first offense and the second offense?" ABC7 Eyewitness News reporter Luz Pena asked.

"Once this passes we have to build in processes and systems to be able to track an infraction so that we can know when we need to ramp up to a misdemeanor," Chief Lew said.

Fire officials say the volume of fireworks-related incidents underscores the need for stronger enforcement. In 2025, the San Francisco Fire Department received more than 3,800 calls tied to fireworks around the Fourth of July.

"We also had between 2018 and 2023 we had over $591,000 in property damage and that is with the great work of firefighters being there and we could have had incredible amount of damage," said San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispen.

Chief Crispen said the proposed penalties are intended to discourage illegal activity.

"We really see it as a deterrent," he said.

City leaders say they hope the legislation will reduce risks to neighborhoods and give first responders clearer authority to act as the next Fourth of July approaches.

This legislation is pending San Francisco Board of Supervisors' approval.