WESTLAKE, Ohio — Next month, a new fireworks law will go into effect that allows Ohioans to use fireworks from July 1 through 5 as well as on several other dates throughout the year. But cities across Northeast Ohio have stamped down on it.
Here's a map of the cities we have data for. Note: Not every city in Northeast Ohio is included. As we find more cities that have prohibited or allowed fireworks they will be added to this map.
AVON LAKE — Prohibited
Avon Lake City Council unanimously passed an ordinance to keep the prohibition on the discharging of fireworks in city limits a law. Watch the video message from Ward 4 Councilman Brian Koss and police and fire officials below for more details:
Fireworks Prohibited PSA from Avon Lake Community Television on Vimeo.
CLEVELAND — Prohibited
The city said it continues to prohibit fireworks except for "novelty or trick fireworks" as well as sparklers.
“The division of fire really wants the citizens to have an enjoyable Fourth of July with family and friends,” said Anthony Luke, Exec. Officer of Cleveland’s Division of Fire. “We also want them to have an enjoyable fifth and sixth of July and not be going through the pain and suffering of a loss of residential house or injury to a loved one.”
Interim Police Chief Wayne Drummond said officers will be out in full force next week, prepared to issue unnecessary noise citations if they catch anyone other than professionals with fireworks.
The citation comes with a $250 fine and up to 30 days in jail.
“They [officers] want to make sure people are enjoying themselves and having a good time but they want to make sure they are doing it responsibly and within the confines, rules, regulations, and laws in Cleveland,” said Drummond. “They're not there to stop you from having a good time, they just want to make sure you're doing it the right way.”
Click Here to read Cleveland's ordinance.
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS — Prohibited
City council passed an ordinance Tuesday night banning the discharge of fireworks.
Click Here to read the ordinance.
EASTLAKE — Prohibited
Eastlake also prohibits fireworks despite the new law.
"We, as a city, have decided to opt out and the discharging of fireworks in the city will remain illegal. Thank you in advance," the city said.
HUDSON — Allowed (Follows state law)
Hudson officials said the city will follow the new state law and allow fireworks during the select days permitted by the state—which means you may set off consumer-grade fireworks for the upcoming holiday.
Click Here for more info.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP — Allowed (Follows state law)
Township officials are following the state law and allowing residents to discharge fireworks from 4 to 11 p.m. on designated holidays.
MEDINA - Prohibited
Medina announced they are joining the growing list of cities opting out of allowing fireworks.
MENTOR — Prohibited
City officials voted on June 7 to opt out of the new law and continue to prohibit fireworks. According to the city, residents may still possess fireworks, it's just illegal to discharge them.
“The Mentor Police Department wants to remind everyone it is illegal to discharge/ignite fireworks in the city,” Mentor Police Chief Ken Gunsch said on the city's website, “It is a first-degree misdemeanor if you are cited for discharging fireworks.”
Click Here for more info.
ROCKY RIVER — Prohibited
Rocky River said in a notice on its website that it has also banned fireworks. The city passed an ordinance on May 23, "regulating and prohibiting the possession, discharge, ignition or exploding of fireworks."
Click Here to read the city's notice.
TWINSBURG — Prohibited
Earlier this month, Twinsburg passed an ordinance prohibiting consumer-grade fireworks.
"The fireworks ordinance has reaffirmed prior ordinances which prohibit the discharge, ignition, or explosion of fireworks in the city of Twinsburg," the city said.
Click Here to read the city's ordinance.
VERMILION — Prohibited
The city passed its ordinance banning fireworks on June 13. The ordinance states that "no person shall discharge, ignite or explode any fireworks in the municipality."
WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS — Prohibited
City council passed ordinance 2022-081 on Tuesday that prohibits setting off fireworks in the city.
The ordinance states, "No person shall discharge, ignite or explode any fireworks within the Municipality of Warrensville Heights unless they have written permission from the Fire Chief."
CLICK HERE to read the full ordinance.
WESTLAKE — Prohibited
The City of Westlake said its decision to ban fireworks despite the new law was made "in an effort to reduce the risk of fires and traumatic injuries" in the city.
Specifically, Westlake has passed Ordinance 1519.04 which bans the "the discharging, ignition or exploding of consumer grade fireworks (1.4G) anywhere in the City of Westlake." Small novelty items like smoke bombs,
sparklers and noisemakers are not included in the legislation and still may be used by Westlake residents.
Click Here to read the ordinance.
Westlake said it hopes residents visit its July 4 celebration as a safe alternative to consumer fireworks.
The city's July 4 celebration is scheduled for 10 p.m. at Clague Park, 1400 Clague Road, on Independence Day.
INDEPENDENCE-Prohibited
Mayor Gregory Kurtz wants to remind residents and visitors that Independence has opted out of Ohio’s new law that legalizes the use of consumer-grade fireworks on select days of the year starting July 1.
Last March, City Council voted unanimously to opt-out of the new law which means it is still illegal to discharge consumer-grade fireworks in the City of Independence.
Sparklers, snaps, snakes, small noise makers, and smoke bombs are considered novelty fireworks and they remain legal in the City.
WILLOUGHBY - Prohibited
On May 17, the city of Willoughby passed two ordinances "reaffirming the ban on discharging, igniting, exploding, or possessing fireworks within the City," city officials said in a Facebook post. "If you discharge fireworks and if we observe the incident or we receive complaints on the fireworks, we will respond and you could receive a minor misdemeanor citation for the offense."
PROHIBITED BY OTHER CITIES
These cities have also opted out and prohibited the use of fireworks.
- Akron
- Barberton
- Berea
- Brecksville
- Broadview Heights
- Brook Park
- Brunswick
- Cuyahoga Falls
- Highland Heights
- Mogadore
- Munroe Falls
- North Royalton
- Oberlin
- Orange Village
- Parma
- Richfield
- Silver Lake
- Strongsville
- Tallmadge
- Twinsburg
- Wadsworth
- Bedford Heights
This list above will be updated in the coming days as more cities may choose to opt out.
THE NEW OHIO LAW
In addition to allowing fireworks from July 1 to 5, the new law will allow consumer-grade (1.4g) fireworks to be purchased and set off on New Year's Day, Memorial Day weekend, Juneteenth, Cinco de Mayo and Labor Day weekend.
Click Here to read the state fireworks legislation signed by Gov. Mike DeWine. He signed the bill allowing fireworks into law last November. Watch more in the player below.
However, the law allows local municipalities to restrict or outright ban fireworks in their jurisdictions—something many cities have opted to do, as you can see from the list above.
Before this new law, those caught setting off fireworks could face a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail. The previous law allowed consumers to purchase and possess consumer-grade fireworks but required consumers to transport them out of state within 48 hours.
News 5 spoke to Ohioans who are excited about the opportunity to set off their own fireworks as well as store owners who urged caution and safety using them. You can watch more in the player below.
CLICK HERE to read more about fireworks safety from the American Pyrotechnics Safety and Education Foundation.
RELATED: Northeast Ohioans stock up on fireworks as new state law approaches July 1
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