Personal Fireworks Displays Outlawed in O'Fallon, Allowed in St. Charles County

If you live in O'Fallon and were planning to hold your own fireworks display to celebrate the Fourth of July, you may want to think twice. That’s because the sale, use and possession of fireworks in the city limits of O'Fallon is illegal according to city ordinance 215.690. 

O'Fallon Public Relations Director Tom Drabelle said the city has received inquiries about fireworks tents on Highway K and Bryan Road that appear to be in the city limits. Drabelle said these tents are actually in unincorporated areas of St. Charles County, not in O'Fallon.

will be on their regular patrol and will respond to residents' complaints regarding fireworks set off in the area throughout the holiday weekend. Drabelle said police usually issue a warning, but if someone is willing to swear a complaint, a summons will be issued to those in violation.

City Bans in St. Charles County

• O'Fallon
• St. Peters
• Wentzville
• Lake Saint Louis
• In the City of St. Charles, police say fireworks are only permitted to be used on July 3-4 between 10 a.m. to 11 pm. 

State Regulations

If you do plan on using fireworks to celebrate the holiday, the state has several regulations regarding ignitions. In Missouri, it is illegal to:

• Set off fireworks within 600 feet of any church, hospital, mental health facility or school or within 100 feet of where fireworks are stored or sold;
• Ignite fireworks within 300 feet of any gas station or where gas is permanently stored;
• Throw fireworks from or into a motorized vehicle including watercraft or at or near any person.

Additionally, the National Council on Fireworks Safety recommends the following common sense tips on using fireworks:

• Only use fireworks outdoors;
• Be sure to have a water supply nearby;
• Wear safety glasses;
• Read the instructions on the fireworks carefully and follow the directions;
• Avoid alcohol;
• Don’t try to relight a dud firework;
• Soak spent fireworks with water before placing them in the trash;
• Don’t use homemade fireworks or illegal explosives.

For more tips, visit the council’s website.

Other Areas

The sale, use and possession of fireworks in St. Louis County also is illegal.

“The ban also includes all 91 municipalities included within the county,” said Mac Scott, a county spokesperson. “Violation of the law could cost between $50 and $1,000. The fee is at the discretion of the judge.”