Title 9 — PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS AND SAFETY\
Palo Alto Municipal Code Ch. 9.07 Safe Storage of Firearms
Palo Alto Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-19 · Palo Alto
Cite as: Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter 9.07 · Text as of 2026-10-19
9.07.010 Definitions.¶
(a) For the purpose of this chapter, "firearm" means a firearm as defined in Section 16520 of the Penal Code of the State of California.
(b) "Locked container" means a locked container, as defined in Section 16850 of the Penal Code of the State of California listed on the California Department of Justice Bureau of Firearms roster of approved firearm safety devices. For purposes of this chapter, a locked container does not include a bag or other container made of fabric or other penetrable material, such as a regular purse, backpack, or gym bag.
(c) "Residence" means any structure intended or used for human habitation, including but not limited to houses, condominiums, rooms, accessory dwelling units, motels, hotels, single room occupancies, time shares, recreational vehicles, and other vehicles where human habitation occurs.
(d) "Trigger lock" means a trigger lock that is listed on the California Department of Justice's roster of approved firearms safety devices and that is identified as appropriate for that firearm by reference to either the manufacturer and model of the firearm or to the physical characteristics of the firearm that match those listed on the roster for use with the device under Section 23635 of the Penal Code of the State of California.
(Ord. 5530 § 2 (part), 2021)
9.07.020 Safe Storage of Firearms.¶
Except when carried on the person, no person shall keep a firearm in any residence unless the firearm is stored in a locked container or is disabled with a trigger lock.
(Ord. 5530 § 2 (part), 2021)
9.07.030 Exception.¶
To encourage reporting of lost or stolen firearms, a person who complies with Section 25250 of the Penal Code of the State of California by reporting the loss or theft of a firearm they own or possess to a local law enforcement agency within five days from the time they knew or reasonably should have known the firearm had been lost or stolen from their residence where the firearm was improperly stored shall not be penalized for that violation of Section 9.07.020.
(Ord. 5530 § 2 (part), 2021)
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