Reporting Illegal Fireworks

Posted on 07/02/2026

Rules by Jurisdiction

• City of Los Angeles & Unincorporated L.A. County: 100% illegal. This includes sparklers, firecrackers, cherry bombs, and all aerial fireworks. 
• Other Cities in L.A. County: Permitted in select cities only (e.g., Alhambra, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bellflower, Commerce, Compton, Downey, and Palmdale). In these permitted cities, "Safe and Sane" fireworks can usually only be legally purchased from licensed stands and discharged during specific windows around the Fourth of July

To report illegal fireworks as they happen in Los Angeles, do not call 911 unless there is an active fire, property damage, or immediate risk of injury. Instead, call the non-emergency line at (877) 275-5273 (877-ASK-LAPD).

For in-progress activity, the most direct methods to report details to the city include:

• Phone: Call (877) 275-5273 for the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
• Online: File a community complaint directly using the LAPD Online Fireworks Complaint Form.
• Mobile App: Use the MyLA311 app (or visit the MyLA311 portal) to submit a report.

Important Tips for Reporting:

• Do not confront the individuals shooting fireworks or place yourself in danger. [1]
• Be as specific as you can: Provide the exact address or closest cross streets, the number of people involved, and a description of the fireworks (e.g., aerial, ground-based). [1]
• Data gathering: Reports help law enforcement map out trouble hotspots and deploy patrols for future crackdowns, even if it does not guarantee an immediate dispatch for a single noise complaint