Northwest Iowa — Independence Day is fewer than three weeks away. That means people are thinking about fireworks. While the state law changed last year to allow fireworks in Iowa, there are several statewide rules, as well as several local rules and ordinances that may apply.
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 a.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.
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.
The Sheldon City Code says they may only be shot off June 20th through July 5th, for the summer season. The hours in which consumer fireworks may be used in Sheldon is between noon and 10:00 p.m., except for July 4th, when the hours are extended to noon to 11:00 p.m.
The only fireworks that you can set off on public property in Sheldon are basically sparklers and snakes and you have to pick up and dispose of any debris safely afterward. Those stipulations are listed in the ordinances of all towns that we contacted that have drawn up a new ordinance since the state law changed last year.
The Sibley City Council passed a new fireworks ordinance this year. Last year fireworks were not allowed in town. This year their ordinance basically dovetails with the state law and has the same stipulations. Click here for the Sibley ordinance.
The Rock Rapids fireworks ordinance was like that last year, but they have added some new, more restrictive dates. The new ordinance says fireworks may only be discharged from June 29 through July 7th, and from December 28th through January 3rd. There are no extended hours on weekends, however like the state law has. They are allowed from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. during the specified dates, with extended hours to 11 p.m. on the fourth of July and until 12:30 a.m. on New Year’s Eve. Click here for the updates to the Rock Rapids Ordinance.
In Rock Valley and Sanborn, both their ordinances state 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. Click here for the Rock Valley Fireworks Ordinance. Click here for the Sanborn Fireworks Ordinance.
Many of the towns also include special rules for the sales of fireworks from both permanent and temporary structures. Many of them also include rules for permits for large fireworks displays and how much insurance needs to be carried.
Make sure you know the rules in your community or county if you plan to set off fireworks. And as always, be safe.
