Broken Arrow residents can now set off their Fourth of July Independence Day fireworks for free within their city limits after having to purchase a permit to do so for nearly two decades.
“I really don’t think it’s fair that every single homeowner has to pay a fee and ask the government for permission to set off fireworks,” Broken Arrow Deputy Mayor Christie Gillespie said in a press release. “Something doesn’t seem right to me.”
Broken Arrow residents voted in 2006 to legalize fireworks within city limits, but the ordinance required a permit. The Broken Arrow City Council voted on June 17 to amend the fire ordinance and remove the permit and fee requirement for setting off fireworks within city limits.
“So they’re still only allowed to set off fireworks on July 3rd and 4th (from 3 p.m.) until 11 p.m. … so that all stays the same,” Broken Arrow Mayor Debra Wimpee said in the June 17 City Council Rewind video.
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It is still illegal for residents of Tulsa and Owasso to set off fireworks within their city limits, and residents of Bixby, Jenks and Sand Springs must obtain a permit to set off fireworks within their city limits.
Fireworks stands in the greater Tulsa area are open for the season outside of city limits. Johnny Kent, owner of Kent’s Fireworks, 4503 S. 49th West Ave., said business usually ramps up around July 1.
Kent’s Fireworks is celebrating its 20th anniversary of selling fireworks this summer, and Kent is celebrating his 23rd anniversary of sprint car racing, thanks to the proceeds from his fireworks booth. He started racing sprint cars at age 21 and sold fireworks to fund his hobby.
“It’s a nice little (financial) support,” he said.
Kent’s father raced sprint cars for 20 years before Kent began racing himself. Like racing, the fireworks stand became a family affair. Kent’s nephews, cousins and son helped run the stand on Friday before racing at Tulsa Speedway that evening.
“It evolved into a company that could help the community and give back,” Kent said. “It was pretty cool.”
The City of Broken Arrow is also giving back to its community. Permits for this summer went on sale in April, but were discontinued in May after the City Council lifted the permit requirement. Residents who purchased permits this year will receive refund checks sent to the address they provided on their permit application.
A news release from the city of Broken Arrow reminded residents that the person setting off the fireworks is responsible for cleaning up the debris the same day. Additionally, fireworks are not allowed to be set off on city property, and permits are still required for commercial fireworks displays and public displays.
Anyone who sets off fireworks outside of the permitted times will face a fine of $225. For those who set off fireworks between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., the fine will double.
<&rdpStrong>Area guidelines for fireworks
<&rdpStrong>Tulsa: No permits; illegal use, possession, sale or transportation within city limits; fine up to $1,200 plus court costs or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both
<&rdpStrong>Bixby: Permits $20 at Bixby City Hall, 116 W. Needles Ave., valid from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., July 2-4; violations $350 plus court costs
<&rdpStrong>Broken Arrow: No permit required; legal July 3 and 4 from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; $225 plus court costs.
<&rdpStrong>Claremore: No permits will be sold for the 2024 season because the extensive debris from the storm throughout Claremore poses a potential fire hazard.
<&rdpStrong>Jenks: Permits $20 for individual families at Jenks City Hall, 211 N. Elm St., or at fireworks stands; $50 for groups/neighbors (group permits must be purchased at City Hall); valid from noon to 11 p.m. July 3-5; violations $200 plus court costs
<&rdpStrong>Owasco: No permits; sale, use or display of fireworks prohibited within city limits (except sparklers, fountains and all fireworks that are non-explosive, non-noisy and non-stationary); violations: $210.
<&rdpStrong>Sand Springs: Permits $20 at City of Sand Springs Customer Service, 100 E. Broadway St. or online at sandspringsok.org; permit sales end July 2 at 4 p.m.; valid from 6-11 p.m. July 3 and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. July 4; violations $171 plus court costs
<&rdpStrong>Pulp: Permits $25 at Sapulpa City Hall, 425 E. Dewey Ave., or at fireworks stands; valid July 3-5, 12:00 p.m.-11:59 p.m.
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