As posted on the City of Owasso website.
Can I set off fireworks in the city limits?- No, many years ago the City Council adopted an ordinance prohibiting the sale, use, display, firing, igniting, lighting or discharge of fireworks inside the city limits. The ordinance does have an exception for sparklers, fountains, and all such types of fireworks that are not explosive or noise making in character and are stationary.
- 2. If the sale of fireworks is not allowed in the city, why can churches and schools sell them?
- The ordinance prohibits the sale of fireworks inside the city limits. The stands/tents selling fireworks are actually located in areas that are not annexed into the city limits of Owasso. These areas are in either Tulsa County or Rogers County jurisdiction. The City does not receive any sales tax from the sale of fireworks.
- 3. Why does the City prohibit fireworks, and then turn around and break the law by having a fireworks show?
- The Fireworks Ordinance contains a separate provision that gives the City Council authority to approve and sponsor, for the common good, a professionally supervised public display of fireworks within the city celebrating Independence Day. The public display of fireworks must meet each of the following requirements:
• The event must be open to the public, free of charge;
• The use, display, firing, ignition, lighting and discharge of the fireworks must be done in the presence of an authorized representative of the Fire Department; and
• The group(s) organizing the event and igniting the fireworks must indemnify and hold the city harmless for any damage caused by the event and provide an insurance policy, with the city named as an insured, covering and protecting the city from liability to the extent it is not immune by state law.
- 4. Why doesn’t the City sell permits to Owasso residents to shoot off fireworks like other cities?
- Issuing “fireworks permits” to residents does not diminish the danger involved to both people and property. The use of airborne fireworks in an urban environment poses a direct danger to property and significantly increases the risk of structural fires in the “built community”. Similarly, it is well documented that the use of all other types of fireworks increases the number of personal injuries to both those who use them and to spectators in the immediate area. Fortunately, Owasso has not had a major property loss due to the use of fireworks and attribute that, in part, to the legal ban on the use of fireworks in the urbanized area. The liability to the taxpayers, if damages occurred by allowing use, is simply not worth the risk.
- 5. Wouldn’t the sale of a fireworks permit generate revenue for the city?
- Depending on the cost of the permit, any revenue generated might simply cover the cost of enforcement of those permits. At $20 per permit, the revenue is not sufficient to justify the potential loss of property or personal injury. There is not sufficient revenue in a fireworks permit to add the firefighters needed in the City’s efforts to lower our resident’s ISO rating and reduce property owners insurance cost. Just the loss on one home (not to mention the possibility of the chain events of a structure fire on other properties) would outstrip the revenue associated with a fireworks permit. The medical cost on one serious accident to a resident would easily be more than the revenue projected for a fireworks permit.
