Did You Know?: Fireworks use ordinances Southeast Missouri residents need to know

Fireworks explode over Arena Park during a previous Cape Girardeau Fourth of July event.

Southeast Missourian file

With Independence Day quickly approaching, fireworks can be heard in neighborhoods throughout Missouri.

Each city makes ordinances regarding the personal use of fireworks, in addition to complying with state fireworks laws, and may distribute fines to anyone who violates them. With the increased use of fireworks ahead of the holiday, residents need to know the rules of their city to avoid violating the law.

Cape Girardeau

Fireworks are allowed to be discharged between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. from Thursday, June 27 to Wednesday, July 3, and from 10 a.m. to midnight Thursday, July 4.

It is illegal for fireworks to be discharged from or at a vehicle, near a person or groups of people and from inside or the roof of any building. Individuals younger than 17 are not allowed to purchase fireworks but can shoot them as long as they’re being supervised by a parent or guardian.

Bottle rockets are banned from being used within city limits, as well as aerial devices — examples in the city code of ordinances include helicopters, aerial spinners, mines, shells, missile-type rockets, Roman candles and skyrockets. Discharging fireworks within 300 feet of fireworks stands or 600 feet of any hospital building is also prohibited.

Jackson

Fireworks can be used in Jackson between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. from June 27 to July 3, and from 10 a.m. to midnight July 4.

Fireworks are illegal to discharge from or at a vehicle, and aren’t allowed to be set off within 75 feet of a fireworks stand, 100 feet away from gasoline — including near pumps or at any building “in which gasoline or volatile liquids are sold in quantities more than one gallon” — or 300 feet away from a church, hospital or school building. It’s also unlawful to use fireworks in any municipal park without receiving “specific written authorization from the mayor and board of aldermen.

Chaffee

Use of fireworks is allowed on any private property between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. from Friday, June 28 through July 3 and from 9 a.m. to midnight July 4.

It’s unlawful to fire “stick rockets”, which include skyrockets, bottle rockets and any “missile-type rockets” that use fins instead of a stick. It’s also illegal to ignite fireworks on any street, alley, sidewalk or any other public property.

Scott City

Fireworks can be discharged from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. beginning 15 days before the holiday, between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. 10 days prior and between 8 a.m. and midnight July 4. Children younger than 12 are not permitted to purchase fireworks.

Bottle rockets and aerial devices — defined in the city code as devices that “utilize a straight and rigid stick of wood, plastic or other material attached to a propellant tube or driver to stabilize or direct flight” — are illegal to shoot within city limits. Sky lanterns are also prohibited.

It’s illegal to discharge fireworks from or at a vehicle, and they aren’t allowed to be set off within 75 feet of a fireworks stand, 100 feet from gasoline — including near pumps or at any building “in which gasoline or volatile liquids are sold in quantities more than one gallon” — or 300 feet from a church, hospital or school building. It’s also unlawful to shoot fireworks on city property without a permit granted by the fire chief.

Marble Hill

Fireworks may be set off from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. from June 25 through Sunday, July 7, on private property.

It is unlawful to discharge fireworks on public streets, sidewalks and parks, across streets and from moving or parked vehicles, and at a person, animal or vehicle. Additionally, it’s illegal to shoot fireworks into or onto any building or property without the consent of the owner

Perryville

Use of fireworks is permitted from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. from June 20 through Saturday, July 6, and from 10 a.m. to midnight July 4. Children younger than 17 are not allowed to purchase or discharge fireworks unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Fireworks can’t be shot from or at vehicles, from roofs or inside buildings or from any city streets, sidewalks or right-of-ways. It is also unlawful to discharge them in any municipal park without written authorization from the mayor and board of aldermen.

Bottle rockets and sky lanterns are prohibited within city limits, as well as any aerial fireworks — defined in Perryville’s municipal code as any fireworks that “utilize a straight and rigid stick of wood, plastic, or other material attached to a propellant tube or driver to stabilize or direct flight.”