Johnson County, KS Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)

Johnson County Code of Resolutions § 50-72 makes it unlawful to store, offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail, use, explode, discharge or possess any fireworks anywhere in the unincorporated county, with no exception for private consumer use on holidays like the Fourth of July. The only lawful uses are a permitted public display, wholesale distribution destined outside the county, or permitted agricultural, emergency, or railroad/transportation use tied to normal business operations (§ 50-71). A public exhibition requires a permit under § 50-73, available only to a "qualified civic group or organization" (a governmental entity, homeowners' or neighborhood association, or a group comprising a majority of residences within 1,000 feet of the display site) tied to a holiday celebration, special event, or ceremony, and only if the operator has demonstrated experience safely storing, handling and firing fireworks or incendiary devices (§ 50-74).

Permitted displays must keep unfired stock stored safely, fire shells at least 100 feet from the nearest building, roadway, or spectator, limit aerial shell angles to no more than 15 degrees from vertical, use operators at least 18 years old with at least two people supervising the firing at all times, stage at least two approved fire extinguishers on site, carry liability insurance satisfactory to the county manager, and immediately and safely dispose of unfired fireworks and residue afterward (§ 50-75). The definition of "fireworks" in § 50-69 sweeps in firecrackers, sky rockets, Roman candles, sparklers and similar combustion or explosive devices, but excludes low-powered toy caps, highway/railway flares and distress signals, and firearm ammunition.