Wichita’s fireworks laws just got an overhaul. Here’s what will be legal, illegal this year

Update, 10:45 a.m. May 16:

The City Council approved changes to Wichita’s fireworks laws by a 6-0 vote. Council member Jeff Blubaugh was absent from the meeting.

The law will take effect in stages. This year, it’s legal to shoot off aerial fireworks from July 1-4 and increased fines for violations are being implemented. For 2023, it’s still illegal to sell aerial fireworks within city limits.

Original story, May 12:

Wichitans could buy and shoot aerial fireworks that now are banned within city limits under a proposal the City Council will vote on Tuesday. And the city has dropped a plan that would have required a $10 permit to do so.

“City legal said the permits are not doable, basically,” Vice Mayor Mike Hoheisel said. “We wouldn’t be set up to issue permits and track them and enforce them, so that’s not in there. It was also the number one issue we got push back on was the fees.”

Bottle rockets and sky lanterns would still be illegal, and penalties for selling and discharging illegal fireworks would increase.

Recommended changes were put forth by a committee created by Wichita Fire Chief Tammy Snow to modernize the fireworks ordinance, which Snow has said is difficult to enforce — particularly when aerial fireworks can be purchased so easily just outside Wichita.

As it stands, it’s illegal to shoot off fireworks with sparks that go higher than six feet. Staff recommends allowing them from July 1-4 while continuing to allow non-aerial fireworks, designated as “safe and sane fireworks,” between June 27 and July 4.

If the proposed changes are implemented, fireworks dealers probably won’t be able to sell aerial fireworks in the city until 2024.

Legal shooting hours would remain from 10 a.m. to midnight.

“Once midnight hits, we would have a zero tolerance policy for fireworks violations,” acting Fire Marshal Chris Dugan told the City Council during a workshop earlier this year.

Shooting illegal fireworks or setting them off outside of legal hours currently carries a fine of $250. The city staff recommends increasing fines to $1,000 for a first offense, $1,500 for a second offense and $2,000 for a third offense.

In July 2022, the Wichita Fire Department reported responding to 71 calls related to fireworks. Seventeen injuries and six structure fires were reported, resulting in $181,000 in property damage.

This story was originally published May 12, 2023 at 1:46 PM.