Law & Principles

Light those fireworks in your front yard! (No, not you.)

July 4, 2023

Jonathan Small

“It shall be unlawful and a misdemeanor for any person to possess, manufacture, store, sell, or use any fireworks within the corporate limits of the City of Tulsa, without first having procured an operational permit from the fire code official…” This city ordinance becomes especially relevant this time of year, and city officials have been reminding everyone to be particularly careful after the recent storm left wood debris across areas of Tulsa.

But this city ordinance, and fines that come with it, may no longer apply to everyone. Tribal members are no longer subject to city ordinances under a new ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit. Throughout much of eastern Oklahoma, anyone who has a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) card will now be exempt from local enforcement of municipal ordinances.