Northwest Iowa — It’s the holiday season. One tradition that many modern Iowa families are just getting into again is the tradition of holiday fireworks.
This is only the second Christmas and New Years season in which fireworks have been legal in Iowa after an 80-year ban linked to a mishap that caused a massive fire in downtown Spencer.
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.
In Sheldon, City Attorney Micah Schreurs says the winter period for the legal use of consumer fireworks runs from December 17th through January 2nd. If you’d like to review Sheldon’s Fireworks Ordinance, you can find it by CLICKING HERE.
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 for the winter season 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 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 in the winter from 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.
For the winter fireworks season, fireworks may only be sold in Iowa from permanent structures, not tents or temporary stands.
Make sure you know the rules in your community or county if you plan to set off fireworks. And as always, be safe.
