Regulations of the new fireworks law

Legislators this year passed a new fireworks law in Iowa, allowing for the sale and use of fireworks during specific hours and dates of the year. Cities can opt out of allowing use, or can limit days and hours of the discharge of fireworks in city limits.

Cities cannot opt out of allowing fireworks to be sold but can limit the days and hours. Zoning in the state law doesn?t mention use or sale of fireworks. The sale of fireworks, however, would be considered a business and must be in a commercial or industrial zone.

Residents must be over 18 years of age to purchase fireworks.

Following are the provisions in the law for the sale of fireworks in Iowa:

? Must apply on a form from the state fire marshal;

? Must show proof of commercial general liability insurance; minimum of $1M, aggregate of $2M;

? Pay required fee for license;

? Sell in accordance with the National Fire Protection Standard 1124;

? Pass an inspection from the state fire marshal;

? Receive a consumer fireworks seller license from the state fire marshal;

? Only sell during set time frame established by state law. Sales in permanent buildings can be between June 1 and July 8 and between Dec. 10 and Jan. 3. Sales from temporary structures can be between June 13 and July 8.

Requirements to use or discharge fireworks in Iowa include:

? If a city opts out and does not allow use of fireworks, fireworks will not be legal (except for novelties such as small firecrackers, sparklers, snakes, etc.);

? A person shall not use or explode consumer fireworks on days other than June 1 through July 8 and Dec. 10 through Jan. 3 of each year, all dates inclusive;

? Consumer fireworks shall not be used or exploded at times other than between the hours of 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. with the following exceptions: between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. on July 4 and the Saturdays and Sundays immediately preceding and following July 4; between the hours of 9 a.m. on Dec. 31 and 12:30 a.m. on the immediately following day (Jan. 1) between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays immediately preceding and following Dec. 31;

? A person shall not use consumer fireworks on real property other than that person?s real property or on the real property of a person who has consented to the use of consumer fireworks on that property;

? A person who violates this subsection commits a simple misdemeanor. A court shall not order imprisonment for violation of this subsection.