(Photo by KIWA Staff)
Northwest Iowa — It’s almost time to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. And many of us will celebrate the milestone birthday the same way we celebrate every Independence Day — with fireworks. But ever since fireworks again became legal in Iowa, there has been a patchwork of rules, depending on where you live in the state. There are also laws for end-of-the-year and New Year’s fireworks, which are beyond the scope of this story.
The state law, which is in effect anywhere where there are no other rules in effect, states that fireworks may be used from June 1st through July 8th. They may be used on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday nights, and on the holiday itself, they may be used one hour longer — until 11:00 p.m.
However, several cities have stricter rules than that. Last year, the State Legislature and the Governor passed another law that cities and counties may NOT restrict fireworks on July 3rd and July 4th. Everywhere in Iowa, it is legal to use fireworks from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on July 3rd, and from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on July 4th. Some cities still have ordinances that are stricter than even that, but the state law says they can’t enforce them.
Here are some of the rules in cities and counties across northwest Iowa.
In Sheldon, consumer fireworks can be used July 1st and 2nd from noon through 10 p.m.;
July 3rd from 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. Except when July 3 falls on a Saturday or Sunday preceding July 4, in which fireworks are allowed between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.; and July 4th from 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.
In Sibley, you can start using fireworks on June 24th and must stop on July 4th. Hours are noon until 9:00 p.m. On Saturday nights, Sunday nights, and the 4th of July, you can use them until 11:00 p.m.
In Rock Rapids, you can use them from June 29th through July 7th, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on July fourth.
In Rock Valley and Sanborn, it’s July 1st until July 7th, with the same hours as Rock Rapids.
In Orange City, you can use fireworks as early as June 15th, and until July 8th from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday nights, and the fourth of July.
In Sioux Center, you get two more days before the fourth than Orange City, but two fewer days after the holiday — so June 13th until July 6th. Hours are 9-10 weekdays and 9-11 Saturdays, Sundays, and the holiday.
In Hull, they go with the older state law, which says they can start already on June 1st (see above for additional information).
In Primghar, they go with the minimum possible under the new state law. You can use fireworks from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on July 3rd and 4th, ONLY.
In the unincorporated areas of O’Brien, Lyon, Osceola, and Sioux counties, they go with the older state law for consumer fireworks (see above for more information).
There are other portions of the law that govern display or “professional” fireworks. Contact your jurisdiction for more information on those rules, which require a permit issued by the government agency.
Most lists of rules also list rules against using fireworks without permission on property that you do not own and on publicly-owned property like parks, streets, etc. Many of them also state that no one under 18 or under the influence of an intoxicating substance may light fireworks, that you are responsible for cleanup, that fireworks cannot fly over another person’s property, and so forth. Again, contact your jurisdiction for more information.
