Northwest Iowa — It’s time to celebrate the 249th anniversary of the United States of America.
And one popular way to do that is with fireworks. Fireworks rules have changed in Iowa this year, after the legislature mandated that while towns may control fireworks in any way they desire during the rest of the state’s fireworks period — on July 3rd and 4th (and December 31st) — the state rules apply. That means places like Spencer, which basically banned fireworks after the huge fire early last century in downtown Spencer after a fireworks accident — are having to allow them for the first time in several decades, if only for a few days per year.
In our part of northwest Iowa:
| Start | Stop | Hours | Weekend changes | Holiday changes | |
| Sheldon | July 1 | July 4 | 12 noon – 10 pm | If July 3rd is a Saturday or Sunday, 9:00 am – 11:00 pm | 9:00 am – 11:00 pm |
| Sibley | June 1 | July 8 | 9:00 am – 10:00 pm | On weekends before and after the 4th, 9:00 am – 11:00 pm | 9:00 am – 11:00 pm |
| Rock Rapids | June 15 | July 8 | 9:00 am – 10:00 pm | 9:00 am – 11:00 pm | |
| Rock Valley | June 15 | July 8 | 9:00 am – 10:00 pm | 9:00 am – 11:00 pm | |
| Sanborn | July 1 | July 7 | 9:00 am – 10:00 pm | 9:00 am – 11:00 pm | |
| Orange City | June 15 | July 8 | 9:00 am – 10:00 pm | On weekends before and after the 4th, 9:00 am – 11:00 pm | 9:00 am – 11:00 pm |
| Sioux Center | June 13 | July 8 | not listed but state law would probably apply | ||
| Hull | June 1 | July 8 | 9:00 am – 10:00 pm | On weekends before and after the 4th, 9:00 am – 11:00 pm | 9:00 am – 11:00 pm |
| Primghar | July 3 | July 4 | 9:00 am – 11:00 pm | 9:00 am – 11:00 pm | 9:00 am – 11:00 pm |
Click here for fireworks rules in the City of Sheldon.
As far as the unincorporated areas — out in the country — the state rules apply in Lyon, Osceola, and Sioux counties. HOWEVER — O’Brien County requires an application to be submitted for approval, with proof of insurance, to the Board of Supervisors for anything beyond sparklers and snakes. The application can be found on the county website on the auditor’s page.
In Iowa, in the absence of any other jurisdiction making the rules more strict, consumer fireworks can be used legally from June 1st through July 8th. They can be used between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Extended hours until 11:00 p.m. are in place for the weekends before and after the fourth, and on the fourth itself. Other rules exist for the December and January fireworks season.
Rules also exist regarding alcohol or drug use, fireworks debris, shooting them toward people, shooting them only on your own property, and more, and we encourage you to take a look at the ordinance in your community before using fireworks. And just a reminder — fireworks bother some people and pets, so be courteous.
KIWA Staff Photo
