Starting Wednesday, Jan. 15, the Lompoc Fire Department will begin accepting applications from qualified, Lompoc-based nonprofit groups to be entered into the lottery for an opportunity to sell Safe and Sane fireworks.

This year, sales of Safe and Sane fireworks are especially important to provide recreation to the community, as the annual Lompoc fireworks show at Lompoc High School will not be taking place. The track and field is undergoing renovations including a new rubberized track, and the fireworks show has been cancelled so as not to damage the upgraded material.

The city urges all interested nonprofit groups to submit an application by the Feb. 3 deadline, as there is expected to be high demand this year for both the opportunity to sell fireworks, and fireworks purchases.

Permits to sell Safe and Sane fireworks will be limited to six sale stands and locations in the city of Lompoc. Permits will be issued only to organized and established nonprofit organizations within Lompoc city limits, meeting the definition and required criteria as outlined in city of Lompoc ordinances 1591(13) and 1594(13).

The Lompoc Unified School District Education Foundation (LUSDEF), as long as it is a nonprofit organization, may apply for two permits to sell Safe and Sane fireworks within the city. The remaining four qualified nonprofit groups will be chosen by lottery.

Applications may be filed beginning Jan. 15, with a submission deadline of 5 p.m. Feb. 3. Applicants will be notified by Feb. 17 of the disapproval of any lottery application.

The lottery for determining which nonprofit organizations will receive firework sale permits is set to take place on March 2. All nonprofit groups whose applications have been selected will have up to and including March 31 to submit all information required by Lompoc Municipal Code Section 8.28.060l.

Fireworks sale application packets are available 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at Lompoc Fire Station 1, 115 South G St., and must be picked up in-person by an adult representative of the nonprofit organization.

Nonprofit groups other than LUSDEF that were granted a permit in 2019 are not typically eligible for the 2020 lottery, but can still apply. Last year’s nonprofit groups will be considered for an alternate position and entered into the lottery in the event there are fewer than six new applicants accepted and approved.

— Samantha Scroggin for city of Lompoc.