Can I report Modesto neighbors for lighting fireworks late at night? What to know
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- Modesto allows 'safe and sane' fireworks only from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. through July 4.
- Illegal fireworks use in Modesto can lead to fines starting at $2,000 per offense.
- Residents can report violations via non-emergency line, app or Crime Stoppers.
It’s not quite the Fourth of July, but that hasn’t stopped Modesto-area residents from starting their celebrations early.
Social media users have already reported seeing — and hearing — explosions in the night sky.
In late June, one Reddit user wrote about people setting off fireworks near the border between Modesto and Ceres, asking, “Fireworks? Really?”
Another Modesto Reddit user responded, saying their neighbors were using fireworks near West Roseburg Avenue at 1:27 a.m.
“The low IQ people do this every year,” Reddit user Dthinker23 said.
When it comes to lighting fireworks, Modesto residents must follow several local and state rules regulating everything from the types of fireworks allowed to the times they can be set off. Here’s what to know:
Are fireworks on sale in California in 2025?
In 2025, firework stands opened for business in communities across California on Saturday, June 28, according to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
Residents in nearly 300 California communities, including those in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties, can purchase fireworks to celebrate Independence Day with a bang.
Here is a full list of cities and counties where you can find retail booths selling legal fireworks.
What are safe and sane fireworks?
In California, legal fireworks are known as “safe and sane” fireworks and identified with the State Fire Marshall’s seal, according to Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department.
According to the city of Suisun City, legal fireworks in California include:
- Fountains
- Sparklers
- Smokeballs
- Pinwheels
- Snake-type fireworks
- Ground-spinning fireworks
“Safe and sane fireworks” are “basically anything that doesn’t spin uncontrollably or leave the ground,” the city said on its website.
Which fireworks are illegal in California?
In California, illegal fireworks include:
- Sky rockets
- Bottle rockets
- Roman candles
- Aerial shells
- Firecrackers
“Other fireworks that explode, go into the air or move on the ground in an uncontrollable manner” are also considered illegal, according to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
What are penalties for illegal fireworks use in Modesto?
Setting off illegal fireworks in Modesto can result in citations and fines.
The Modesto Police Department plans to increase patrols on the Fourth of July to crack down on illegal fireworks.
The agency will also use its Sky-1 surveillance drone to help spot violations in the air.
In 2025, Modesto police handed out 52 citations for illegal firework use, totaling $96,000 in fines.
In Modesto, fines for illegal fireworks start at $2,000 for a first offense and go up to $4,000 for repeat violations. Selling or making illegal fireworks can result in a $10,000 fine.
How can I report illegal fireworks in my neighborhood?
To report illegal fireworks, Modesto residents can use the department’s non-emergency line at 209-552-2470, the GoModesto! app or Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636.
In case of an emergency, such as a fire or injury, residents should call 9-1-1.
When can I set off fireworks in Modesto?
Local jurisdictions can impose their own rules as to when fireworks can be deployed.
Residents of Modesto can light fireworks between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. until Friday, July 4.
Can I report my Modesto neighbor for using fireworks late at night?
After 10 p.m. Friday, “safe and sane fireworks” are no longer allowed to be set off, according to the city of Modesto.
The city said residents can report a misuse of fireworks by contacting the Modesto Police Department’s non-emergency line at 209-552-2470, the GoModesto! app or Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636.
If you are going to make a report, have a description, an address of where the incident is occurring and any additional information, the city said.
Setting off fireworks after 10 p.m. is also considered a violation of the Modesto noise ordinance.
Violating the local noise ordinance could result in a citation.
