Where are fireworks allowed in Kansas City area for the Fourth of July?

Breanna Palmer
·4 min read

The Fourth of July is just around the corner. Before you head to the fireworks stand, make sure you know what type of fireworks are allowed in your city. Most municipalities in the Kansas City metro area have different restrictions on when and where you can set off fireworks during Independence Day celebrations.

Not able to purchase or use in your area don’t worry, you can always go and check out local firework shows with live music and activities for the Fourth of July weekend.

It is worth keeping in mind that the much of the Kansas City area continues to face drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, so please celebrate responsibly.

WHERE CAN YOU SET THEM OFF?

Cities in Kansas and Missouri have different regulations for fireworks. We’ve linked directly to the city websites where you can read more about the rules on where, when and what kind of firework usage is allowed in your area. And don’t forget to be safe — here are tips to make sure you or a loved one don’t spend the holiday at the emergency room.

Anthony Lopez, left, and his son, Mark, 11, load up for the Fourth of July celebration while shopping at Save-U-More Fireworks, in Kansas City, Kansas in 2021.
Anthony Lopez, left, and his son, Mark, 11, load up for the Fourth of July celebration while shopping at Save-U-More Fireworks, in Kansas City, Kansas in 2021.

KANSAS

Leawood, Merriam, Mission, Olathe and Prairie Village all do not allow fireworks within city limits. Here’s where you can light fireworks elsewhere in Kansas:

  • Bonner Springs: You can shoot fireworks on July 3-4 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m, but bottle rockets aren’t permitted. It is also illegal to shoot fireworks off on a sidewalk, road or alley.

  • Kansas City: You can shoot off fireworks July 2-4 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., but bottle rockets and skyrockets are prohibited. 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.

  • Roeland Park: You can shoot off fireworks between noon and 10 p.m. on July 4 throughout the city, but it’s only basic firecrackers, sparklers, snakes and snaps. 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 from July 3-4 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Fireworks for sale at a local fireworks stand. Check to make certain it is legal to set off consumer fireworks in your area.
Fireworks for sale at a local fireworks stand. Check to make certain it is legal to set off consumer fireworks in your area.

MISSOURI

Gladstone, Grandview, Kansas City and North Kansas City don’t allow fireworks within their city limits, but these cities do:

  • Blue Springs: You can set off fireworks on July 1-3 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 July 3 and July 5 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m, and July 4 from 10 a.m. to midnight.

  • 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 three 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 3-4 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.

Fireworks are fun, but can be dangerous. Have fun while also practicing safety.

Joseph Hernandez contributed to this report.