Where is it legal to set off fireworks around Kansas City? Here’s what local laws say

The Fourth of July is almost here, so you are probably already hearing pops and bangs in Kansas City area streets from fireworks, firecrackers and more consumer pyrotechnics.

But are they technically legal in your community? And at what times are people allowed to shoot the fireworks off? It varies significantly by the city you live in.

A number of Kansas City area cities prohibit consumer fireworks altogether, and many others have limits on when, where and what you can light up.

State law can also restrict how old you have to be to buy fireworks and what kind of fireworks are legal in your state.

Here’s what to know about fireworks laws around the KC metro area.

What KC area cities have fireworks bans?

On the Kansas side, Leawood , Merriam , Mission , Olathe and Prairie Village all have city laws banning fireworks with permits, which usually require a licensed pyrotechnics specialist to be involved.

Consumer fireworks are also illegal without permits in Gladstone , Grandview , Kansas City and North Kansas City .

What Kansas cities allow fireworks and when?

Bonner Springs : You can shoot fireworks on July 3 or 4 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Kansas City, Kansas : You can shoot off fireworks July 2-4 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. It’s also illegal in KCK to shoot fireworks on any public road, alley or sidewalk, within 150 feet of fireworks stands or within 100 feet of a gas station.

Lenexa : Only novelty fireworks like sparklers, snakes and smoke bombs are allowed.

Overland Park : Snappers, snakes, toy pistols with caps and toy canes with caps are the only fireworks allowed. The city considers “any device that produces a visible or audible effect through combustion or detonation” illegal.

Roeland Park: You can shoot off fireworks between noon and 10 p.m. on July 4 throughout the city, but it’s only basic snappers, sparklers, snakes, smoke bombs and fountains. You can’t set off any other types of fireworks in the streets or on any private property, like school parking lots.

Shawnee : Bottle rockets, sky lanterns and M80s are prohibited, but you can light other fireworks on July 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fireworks are not allowed to be used on public property, including streets and sidewalks, or within 1,000 feet of schools or medical buildings.

What Missouri cities allow fireworks and when?

Blue Springs: You can set off fireworks from July 1 to 3 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on July 4 from 10 a.m. to midnight. Aerial luminaries and bottle rockets aren’t allowed.

Independence : Fireworks are allowed to be set off July 3 and July 5 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m, and July 4 from 10 a.m. to midnight. Altered or combined fireworks like sparkler bombs are prohibited.

Lee’s Summit : You can light up fireworks on July 2-3 from 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. and on July 4 from 10 a.m. and midnight. You’ll have to get a fireworks-use permit for free from a licensed fireworks vendor or from city hall. The list of fireworks that aren’t allowed includes bottle rockets, Roman candles, illuminating torches, missiles with fins or rudders and single or multi-shot parachutes with night effects.

Liberty : Fireworks are allowed from July 3-4 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. You can light aerial fireworks only on plots of land 3 acres or bigger.

Parkville : Fireworks are allowed July 1-3 and July 5 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. They are allowed July 4 from 10 a.m. to midnight. The only fireworks allowed are ground-based devices like snakes, smoke bombs, etc.

Raymore : You can light fireworks on July 1-3 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and they’re allowed on July 4 from 10 a.m. to midnight. You have to get permission from the city council to light fireworks on public grounds.

Raytown : You can light fireworks from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4 and from noon to 10 p.m. July 5th. You’ll have to get a permit from city hall or the fire department, and you can’t light bottle rockets, Roman candles, sky lanterns or any form of stick missiles.

Riverside : Fireworks are allowed from June 26 to July 2 and on July 5 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. They’re also allowed on July 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to midnight. If you’re going to shoot fireworks, make sure you’re at least 600 feet away from churches, hospitals, medical facilities, public schools, libraries or daycare facilities.

What do Kansas’ state laws say about fireworks?

The most notable thing in Kansas’ law on fireworks is that bottle rockets are banned statewide . The state fire marshal also sets rules about shooting fireworks into or from cars. Fines for breaking state law could reach $1,000 per violation.

There are no rules in state law about the minimum age to set off or buy fireworks.

What do Missouri’s state laws say about fireworks?

In Missouri, you have to be at least 14 years old to buy fireworks unless accompanied by a parent or a guardian. And people under 16 must be supervised by an adult to sell fireworks.

You can’t ignite fireworks within 600 feet of a church, school or health care facility, or within 100 feet of a fireworks vendor. Ground salutes like cherry bombs are prohibited in the state.

Violations of state law are considered to be a Class A misdemeanor, which could result in up to a year in jail and a fine up to $1,00.

Do you have more questions about state or local laws? Contact the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com .