Residents should use the online reporting form to report nuisances and fireworks. If there's a life-threatening emergency or active fire, call 9-1-1.

Starting December 16, 2019, the online reporting form will be available year-round.

Using the online reporting tool will not result in enforcement officers being immediately dispatched to the scene.

The police department prioritizes all 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls based on the severity of the calls. During the holidays when fireworks are prevalent, the police department receives a high volume of firework-related calls requiring our dispatch center to prioritize the calls. Therefore, the police department may not be able to respond to every firework-related call unless fires or injuries are involved.

By providing accurate and complete information, the City may be able to issue administrative citations or warning letters to users of illegal fireworks. Partial information will be accepted and may be helpful in mapping the locations of fireworks use for outreach purposes, but likely will not result in a citation or other enforcement action. You will need to provide the following information:

For fireworks use on private property (yards or driveways)

• Photo/video evidence showing use or possession of fireworks on the property;
• The exact address where the incident occurred; and
• Your contact information (“Reporting Party” contact information on the form).

Yes, you can submit information anonymously or provide only an approximate address. However, no citation will be issued from such reports. This information will be used only to map where fireworks use is generally occurring—this information may be helpful for future outreach and enforcement patrol purposes.

This information will be used to determine if there is a violation of San José Municipal Code. The data will also be used to map where fireworks use is generally occurring—this information may be helpful for future outreach and enforcement patrol purposes.

If you received a citation, that means the City of San José received an online report with sufficient evidence indicating the illegal use, possession, sale or storage of fireworks.

If you received a citation and believe there is an error, you may contest the citation by completing a Hearing Request Application. Forms must be returned to the City of San José within 30 days of receiving the citation, along with an advance deposit of the fine or within 15 days when applying for the advance deposit hardship waiver.

If you are contesting the citation and are unable to pay the advance deposit, you may request an advance deposit hardship waiver within 15 calendar days of the citation date. Please see hardship qualifications for required documentation.

For information about obtaining a fireworks display permit, please call our Bureau of Fire Prevention at 408-535-7750. Celebrations using fireworks must have a licensed pyro-technician onsite with appropriate credentials and permits.

In the City of San José, unused consumer-grade fireworks can be dropped off at any one of our 33 fire stations. See our Fire Stations Map to find a station near you.