CHAPTER 6. Permits [12640. - 12654.]

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC 6.
in effect

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 12640. Section 12640.

In any case in which this chapter requires that a permit be obtained from the State Fire Marshal, or in any case in which the public agency having local jurisdiction requires pursuant to this chapter that a permit be obtained, a licensee shall possess a valid permit before performing any of the following: (a) Manufacturing, importing, exporting, storing, possessing, or selling dangerous fireworks at wholesale. (b) Manufacturing, importing, exporting, storing, or selling at wholesale or retail safe and sane fireworks or transporting safe and sane fireworks, except that a transportation permit shall not be required for safe and sane fireworks possessed by retail licensees. (c) Manufacturing, importing, exporting, possessing, storing, transporting, using, or selling at wholesale or retail, those fireworks classified by the State Fire Marshal as agricultural and wildlife fireworks. (d) Manufacturing, importing, exporting, possessing, storing, or selling at wholesale or retail, model rocket motors. (e) Discharging dangerous fireworks at any place, including a public display. (f) Using special effects.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 12641. Section 12641.

A permit, as provided in this part, shall not be required of any person to transport, purchase at retail, or use safe and sane fireworks, or to purchase at retail, use, or transport registered emergency signaling devices.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 12642. Section 12642.

The effective period of the permit shall be defined in the permit and in no case shall the period of the permit exceed the valid period of the license. This section shall not prohibit the revocation of the permit by the issuing authority for just cause where a fire nuisance exists or where personal injury may occur.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 12643. Section 12643.

Any licensee desiring to do any act specified in Section 12640 shall first make written application for a permit to the chief of the fire department or the chief fire prevention officer of the city or county, or to such other issuing authority which may be designated by the governing body of the city or county. In the event there is no such officer or person appointed within the area, application shall be made to the State Fire Marshal or his deputy. Applications for permits shall be made in writing at least 10 days prior to the proposed act.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 12644. Section 12644.

The issuing authority shall not accept an application for a permit from any person who does not possess, and present at the time of application, evidence of a valid license to perform those acts specified on the application for the permit. When a license is not required for specific acts, the issuing authority may prescribe such reasonable conditions to qualify the applicant to receive a permit and provide for the public safety.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 12645. Section 12645.

The officer to whom the application for a permit is made shall undertake an investigation and submit a report of his findings and his recommendation concerning the issuance of the permit, together with his reasons therefor, to the governing body of the city or county. The applicant for a permit to conduct a public display shall file a certificate evidencing the possession of a valid public display license with the officer making the investigation.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 12647. Section 12647.

The governing body may delegate the power to grant or deny the permit to the issuing authority to whom the application is made. In such case, the governing body shall also provide for a hearing by the governing body by which an applicant may appeal a denial of the permit. The governing body may, after such a hearing, reverse, modify, or sustain the denial.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 12648. Section 12648.

The officer to whom the application for a permit for a public display of fireworks is made shall make an investigation to determine whether such a display as proposed will be of such character or so located that it may be hazardous to property or dangerous to any person. He shall, in the exercise of reasonable discretion, recommend granting or denying the permit, subject to such conditions as he may prescribe.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 12649. Section 12649.

The applicant for a permit for any public display of fireworks shall, at the time of application, submit his license for inspection and furnish proof that he carries compensation insurance for his employees as provided by the laws of this state.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 12650. Section 12650.

When a permit for the public display of fireworks is granted, the sale, possession, transportation, and use of fireworks for the public display is lawful for that purpose only. The permit to hold a public display shall authorize the transportation of public display fireworks between the approved routes, as specified in Section 12651, and the public display site.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 12651. Section 12651.

Any person holding a valid license for the manufacture, wholesale, or import and export of dangerous fireworks or pyrotechnic devices may transport any class of fireworks or pyrotechnic devices authorized by such license. Persons holding a special effects pyrotechnic operators license may transport special effects fireworks, but the transportation of fireworks by all other pyrotechnic operator licensees shall not be permitted. The authority granted to the licensee to transport fireworks is limited to traveling upon the approved routes for the transportation of explosives designated as provided in Section 31616 of the Vehicle Code. The licensee shall also comply with Section 27903 of the Vehicle Code and equip and maintain any vehicle used to transport fireworks as required by Section 31610 of the Vehicle Code. It is the intent of the Legislature by this section to require the maximum use of the approved routes in the delivery of fireworks to the point of destination.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 12652. Section 12652.

When traveling between the approved routes, as specified in Section 12651, and the point of destination the licensee shall possess a transportation permit from the local fire authority having jurisdiction over the boundaries in which the off-route travel occurs. A transportation permit is not required for public display fireworks as provided in Section 12650.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 12653. Section 12653.

The application for a transportation permit shall be submitted to the State Fire Marshal for the transportation of any quantity of fireworks where such transportation is outside the boundaries of the issuing authority having jurisdiction at the point of origin or such shipment originates within this state and is transported out of this state. The application for a transportation permit as required by this section shall be approved by the issuing authority having jurisdiction at the place where the shipment originates before the State Fire Marshal shall issue such transportation permit. No further permits shall be required by issuing authorities other than the authority at the point of origin where the State Fire Marshal has issued a permit pursuant to this section.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 12654. Section 12654.

A transportation permit shall not be required by this part for public carriers or private carriers who each hold a valid license or permit issued pursuant to the provisions of Division 14 (commencing with Section 31600) of the Vehicle Code or Division 11 (commencing with Section 12000) of the Health and Safety Code.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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