Northwest Iowa — With the Fourth of July coming up, and with the new Iowa fireworks law having just gone into effect, now is the time to familiarize yourself with the law and how it applies to your Independence Day celebrations.
The state law, as it applies to the discharge of fireworks states that consumer fireworks may only be used between June 1st and July 8th and December 10th through January 3rd. It also limits the hours of use to 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., except that the hours are extended to 11:00 p.m on July 4th, and the Saturdays and Sundays immediately preceding and following July 4th; to 12:30 p.m. on January 1st and 11:00 p.m. on the Saturdays and Sundays immediately preceding and following December 31st. The law also says that you may use fireworks only on your own property or the property of someone who has consented to fireworks being used on their property. There are also several stipulations on the sale of fireworks. Click here for the text of the state law.
Some cities have enacted stricter rules, however. Those that have, generally also mention that no one under the age of 18 may light fireworks unsupervised, fireworks may not be altered, they may not be used by people appearing to be intoxicated or under the influence of a drug or narcotic, and they may not be used in a reckless manner.
In Sheldon, the dates and times of use are both stricter than the state law. Fireworks may be used from June 20th through July 5th and December 17th through January 2nd, between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., except for extended hours until 11:00 p.m. on July 4 and on New Year’s Eve until 12:30 a.m. (January 1st). If you’d like to read the Sheldon Fireworks Ordinance in its entirety, you can do so by CLICKING HERE.
In Orange City, the dates of use are the same as the state law, but the dates with extended times do not include the weekends before and after the holiday, and only include the holiday itself. Orange City’s ordinance also talks about open-flame sky lanterns and that they are prohibited unless the lantern has a tether and is under control. Find a copy of the Orange City Ordinance here.
Use of fireworks is allowed in Sioux Center from June 13 through July 8. The city will follow the state law regarding the times of day during which fireworks are allowed. Information about the Sioux Center ordinance can be found here.
In Sanborn, the fireworks ordinance states that fireworks may be discharged from June 15th through July 8th, and from December 10th through January 3rd. The times of day are the same as the state law, but the dates with extended times do not include the weekends before and after the holiday and only include the holiday itself. Click here for the full Sanborn Ordinance.
In Hartley, city officials say that the city council feels they have not had enough time to review the law and come up with any new policy. We are told that the old fireworks ordinance, which prohibits fireworks in the city limits still technically applies in Hartley.
The situation is similar in Sibley. Jerolyn Huisenga with the City of Sibley says that the Sibley City Council also has not passed any new fireworks ordinance, so the old ordinance remains in effect in Sibley — meaning fireworks will not be allowed in the city limits.
In George, city officials state that their city council also has not passed any new fireworks ordinance. But they stated that the new state law will apply in George, so it is legal to use fireworks in George as long as people follow the state law.
The Rock Rapids City Council has enacted a new fireworks ordinance. Fireworks may be discharged from June 15th through July 8th and December 10th through January 3rd with the same times of day as the state law, except no extended hours are included on the weekends before or after the holidays. Information about the Rock Rapids ordinance can be found here.
It’s a very similar situation in Rock Valley. Their ordinance also states that fireworks may be discharged from June 15th through July 8th and December 10th through January 3rd with the same times of day as the state law, except no extended hours are included on the weekends before or after the holidays.
The community pointed to when people ask why fireworks have been banned in Iowa for almost 80 years — is Spencer. And in Spencer, people are still not going to be able to use fireworks. Spencer City Manager Bob Fagen says, “we know what [fireworks] can do for your community.” He says the rules on the use of fireworks will be the same in Spencer as before — only sparklers and snakes will be allowed. Fireworks were prohibited in Iowa a few years after a devastating fire caused by a sparkler being dropped into a fireworks display in Spencer in 1931.
