1. WHY DID YOUR CITY COUNCIL ADOPT A FIREWORKS ORDINANCE?
2. A PERMIT IS REQUIRED TO SELL FIREWORKS
3. HOW TO OBTAIN A PERMIT
4. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
5. ISSUANCE OF A PERMIT
6. LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT
7. USE OF NET PROCEEDS
8. REGULATIONS FOR FIREWORKS STANDS
9. OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS

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WHY DID YOUR CITY COUNCIL ADOPT A FIREWORKS ORDINANCE?

The sale of fireworks in the City of Carson has been approved by the City Council as a method of raising funds for charitable organizations within the city. The Council has adopted certain regulations relative to the sale of fireworks to insure the safety of the citizens.

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A PERMIT IS REQUIRED TO SELL FIREWORKS

A permit is required to sell fireworks within the City of Carson. The permit is only valid from June 28th from 12:00 noon to 10:00 p.m. and from June 29th through July 4th from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., for the year the permit was issued.

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HOW TO OBTAIN A PERMIT

Any non-profit, charitable corporation or association currently recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization, may submit an application for a permit with the City Finance Department, if the organization meets the following requirements:

• Provide documentation showing that the organization's principal meeting place in the City of Carson, and at least 50% of its members.
• Provide documentation authenticating that the organization has been organized and established in the City for a minimum of one year.
• The organization has a bona fide membership of at least 20 members.

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APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Applications for the sale of fireworks may be obtained and filed with the City Finance Department from March 1st through April 1st each year.

Submitted applications must include:

1. An application fee of $25.00 (nonrefundable)
2. Four copies of the plot plan showing its location in relation to existing structures and the public right-of-way. The plot plan shall be drawn on paper no longer 8 1/2 by 11 inches.
3. Copy of recorded deed evidencing its ownership of designated location or an executed lease or rental agreement giving the applicant the legal authority to operate a fireworks stand at the designated location.
4. Proof of current tax exempt status (501(c)(2)) from the Franchise Tax Board or Internal Revenue Service.

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ISSUANCE OF A PERMIT

Permits will be issued to applicants whose applications were approved, and who held a permit during the last calendar year, complied with all requirements, and is considered in good standing. Any new organization wishing to submit an application for fireworks permit will be considered when the current issued fireworks permits is less than ten (10) in the preceding year. Applicants shall be notified by the Finance Department on or before April 7th advising whether their application was accepted or rejected.

If approved, the applicant must:

1. Pay a permit fee of $230.00.
2. Submit a $100.00 refundable deposit for site-clearing.
3. Provide a certificate of general liability and property damage insurance, in an aggregate amount of not less than $1,000,000 and name the City of Carson, as an additional insured.
4. Provide a copy of the organization's sellers permit issued by the State Board of Equalization.

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LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT

A fireworks license will not be issued unless the organization has had their location of the proposed fireworks stand inspected for compliance with fire regulations.

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USE OF NET PROCEEDS

The organization shall use the net proceeds derived from its stand operations for non-profit, charitable, or religious service projects that are a direct benefit to the City of Carson and for no other purpose. A report accounting for the funds and disbursement from the sale of fireworks must be submitted to the Finance Department on or before March 1st the following year, from when the permit was issued.

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REGULATIONS FOR FIREWORKS STANDS

All fireworks stands shall be located, maintained, and operated according to the following provisions:

1. Fireworks stands shall be capable of resisting wind without collapsing, sliding, or overturning.
2. A certificate of occupancy, issued by the Building and Safety Division and Fire Department, shall be posted in a conspicuous location within the stand.
3. Any electrical wiring within the stand shall be approved by the Building and Safety Division.
4. No fireworks stand shall be located within 100 feet of any gasoline station or 25-feet of any other structure and the stand must be setback from the street curbing for a minimum of 10 feet.
5. No fireworks stand shall be located in a residential zone except when approved by City Council.
6. Fireworks stands shall be installed after 12:00 noon on June 21^st and each stand shall be removed by 12:00 noon on July 12^th. All accompanying litter, debris, materials, etc. shall be cleared by said time and date.
7. All weeds and combustible material shall be cleared from the location for a distance of at least 50-feet surrounding the stand.
8. All trash shall be removed from the premise and stand each evening at close.
9. Two fire extinguishers must be maintained at each stand.
10. No smoking is allowed within or within 50 feet of the stand.
11. No person under 18 years of age is permitted in the stand.
12. There shall be an adult night watchman onsite during the hours of storage.
13. No alcoholic beverages are allowed on the premises.
14. Stands must have exits at least 30-inches in width at both ends of the structure, and one 30-inch exit every 20-feet on the rear wall of the structure. No supplies or materials will be stored in front of exit doors, and all doors shall remain unlocked when the stand is occupied.
15. Fireworks may be sold at permitted stands during the following hours:
    1. On June 28th from 12:00 noon to 10:00 p.m.; and
    2. From June 29th through July 4th from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

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OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Fireworks shall not be stored in any residence, home, garage, or automobile within the City of Carson.

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The Carson Municipal Code (CMC) Chapter 1 Fire Prevention sections can be found on the City’s website. Each permittee shall comply with the CMC Chapter 1 Fire Prevention in its entirety.