U.S. Coast Guard Proposes Expanded and Updated Safety Zones for Southern California Fireworks Events

The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to revise the regulatory framework for marine safety zones associated with annual fireworks events throughout the Southern California Los Angeles-Long Beach Captain of the Port Zone. Published in the Federal Register on October 27, 2026, this proposal seeks to expand, clarify, and streamline existing safety measures for pyrotechnic displays. The objective is to safeguard waterways users and the marine environment from the inherent dangers of fireworks, such as accidental discharges, falling debris, and dangerous projectiles, by establishing temporary restricted areas during these events. Public comments on these proposed changes are invited until November 27, 2026.

Background and Rationale for Safety Zones

Each year, the Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach processes numerous marine event permit applications for annual fireworks displays, particularly those associated with the Fourth of July and New Year's Eve. These events, while popular, pose significant safety concerns for anyone on the water. The Captain of the Port (COTP) Los Angeles-Long Beach has identified potential hazards including accidental discharge of pyrotechnics, dangerous projectiles, and falling hot embers or other debris.

To mitigate these risks, the COTP establishes safety zones. During the loading and transit of pyrotechnics aboard launch barges, a 100-foot radius is considered a safety concern. This radius expands to between 500 and 1,000 feet, or a designated distance from the launch site, once the fireworks displays commence. The Coast Guard's authority for these regulations stems from 46 U.S.C. 70034, which empowers it to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters. This proposed rule directly addresses these safety concerns by updating the existing regulatory framework to better reflect current event landscapes and risk profiles.

Key Proposed Amendments to Safety Zones

The NPRM outlines a series of specific changes to 33 CFR 165.1125, Table 1, which lists the Southern California Annual Firework Events for the Los Angeles-Long Beach Captain of the Port zone. These amendments include the addition of new events, updates to existing ones, and the removal of inactive zones.

Eight New Event Additions

The Coast Guard proposes adding eight new fireworks events to the regulated list. Five of these are Fourth of July fireworks displays that would establish recurring safety zones during the first week of July, each with a maximum radius of 1,000 feet around a fireworks barge. These include events in Newport Beach, Two Harbors Catalina Island, Bel Air Bay Pacific Palisades, Los Alamitos Bay, and Three Arch Bay South Laguna. Additionally, the Port of Los Angeles Fourth of July event would establish a 1,000-foot radius safety zone, and the Port of Long Beach New Year's Eve event would create a 500-foot radius safety zone around a land-based location. The Santa Barbara Harbor Holiday Fireworks event would establish a regulated area encompassing a specific portion of Santa Barbara Harbor and East Beach. These additions are deemed necessary to ensure protection during recurring events not currently codified in the regulations.

Thirteen Event Updates and Renames

Thirteen existing entries in 33 CFR 165.1125, Table 1, are slated for updates. The primary goal is to align safety zone enforcement with current event names and sponsors, while also introducing flexibility for event dates or locations. Many events are being renamed to reflect current organizational titles more accurately. For instance, the LA County Dept of Beach and Harbors Fourth of July Fireworks would become Marina Del Rey, CA--4th of July Fireworks. For most of these updated events, the effective date of safety zone enforcement would shift from a rigid "July 4th" to the "First week in July," providing crucial operational flexibility. The Santa Barbara Fourth of July event and Marina Del Rey Holiday and New Year's Eve events would also see refined regulated area definitions, moving from general radii to specific coordinates or designated jetty locations.

Two Event Removals

The proposed rule also identifies two events for removal from 33 CFR 165.1125, Table 1: the Cambria American Legion Post Fourth of July Fireworks and the Fourth of July Fireworks, City of Faria. These removals are based on the fact that these events have not occurred within the previous five years, rendering the enforcement of associated safety zones unnecessary and obsolete.

Enforcement and Regulatory Compliance

Under this proposed rule, no vessel or person would be permitted to enter an established safety zone without specific authorization from the COTP or their designated representative. The Coast Guard plans to disseminate information about these regulated areas through several channels, including publication in the Local Notice to Mariners and issuing a Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF FM marine channel 16. These communication strategies are designed to ensure that all waterway users, including small entities, are well-informed and can adjust their transit plans accordingly. Furthermore, the provision allowing vessels to request permission to enter the regulated area from the COTP offers a critical pathway for necessary access.

Regulatory Analyses

The Coast Guard has conducted various regulatory analyses as part of this proposed rulemaking process. Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the Coast Guard certifies that this proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This assessment is based on factors such as the temporary nature and small geographic footprint of the regulated areas, their enforcement during periods of typically low vessel traffic, and the proactive communication methods employed by the Coast Guard. Other analyses related to collection of information, federalism, unfunded mandates, and environmental impact similarly found no significant negative effects or were consistent with established directives.

Public Participation

The Coast Guard emphasizes the importance of public participation in effective rulemaking. All comments and related material received by November 27, 2026, will be considered. Stakeholders are encouraged to submit comments via the regulations.gov website by searching for docket number USCG-2026-0941. This period represents a key opportunity for affected parties to provide input and help shape the final regulation.