By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — Residents who choose to light up the sky with fireworks during their Independence Day celebrations need to keep in mind there are ordinances regulating when such festivities are allowed.

In St. John the Baptist Parish, it is legal to discharge fireworks on July 4 from dusk until 10 p.m. Anyone under the age of 15 is prohibited from discharging fireworks without the direct supervision of a parent, guardian or other responsible party, and no fireworks are allowed to be discharged closer than 500 feet from any occupied hospital, church, nursing home or school. Regulations state no modification is allowed to fireworks. Violators could face fines ranging between $50 – $500.

In St. Charles Parish, fireworks are allowed on July 3 and 4 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. No one is allowed to explode or ignite fireworks within 1,000 feet of any church, hospital, asylum, school or public building. Officials remind residents no one is allowed to ignite or discharge fireworks in a motor vehicle or throw fireworks from a motor vehicle.

In Lutcher, officials said no fireworks are allowed at any time, and violators could face a financial penalty.

In Gramercy, officials said fireworks are banned throughout the year except for a few holiday celebrations, including July 4.

In all other areas of St. James Parish, the code of ordinances states residents should not ignite fireworks on private property without the permission of the owner.

The explosives, which should be contained within the boundaries of the private property, should not be ignited in a fashion that will cause damage to surrounding property or buildings. Any violator could face a fine of up to $500.