Celebrating Safely: Iowa’s Fourth of July Regulations and Safety Tips

With Summer just around the corner, it means family and friend cookouts, pool parties with the neighbors, and late-night chats on the patios are just a small list of what the residents of Iowa are looking forward to in the months to come.

Cost of Celebrations

In addition to the day-to-day and everyday weekend celebrations, the state – and entire nation – look forward to one of the best Holidays of the year: the Fourth of July. Not only is the 4^th of July a focal point of enjoyment across all ages, but it is also a holiday where families spend significant amounts of money to celebrate the festivities. To be more exact, in 2023, it was anticipated that Americans would spend 9.5 billion on Fourth of July celebrations. This was up nearly 2 billion from the anticipated 7.7 billion spent in 2022. (https://www.investopedia.com/americans-set-to-spend-more-than-ever-on-4th-7555153).  

Risk of Celebrations

While it is estimated that a significant portion of the funds spent are on food and alcohol, there is a key point of all 4^th of July celebrations; specifically, fireworks. Americans spent over $2 billion on fireworks in the years past. While fireworks are an exciting [and expensive] part of the holiday festivities, they are also by far some of the most dangerous ways to celebrate. It has been estimated that in the one month surrounding the 4^th of July holiday, there was an estimated 10,200 firework related injuries in 2022.  (https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Fireworks#:~:text=The%20new%20report%20also%20showed,the%20July%204th%20holiday.) Fireworks can also be deadly, as the same year at least eleven (11) firework-related deaths were reported.  

Regulation of Celebrations

Due to the inherent danger of fireworks, it is expected that the state of Iowa regulates the celebrations at least in some capacity to avoid and/or reduce the potential danger associated with the inevitable celebrations.  

• Iowa Laws – applicable to all towns and cities

• Under Iowa Code Section 727.2, A person shall not use or explode consumer fireworks on days other than June 1 through July 8 and December 10 through January 3 of each year, all dates inclusive.¹

• During the permissible days, there are specific times at which fireworks are to be used. Such times are as follows: between the hours of 9:00 am and 10:00pm on all dates expect specifically listed otherwise.

• Exceptions to these dates are July 4, when fireworks are permissible between 9:00 am and 11:00 pm; December 31 between 9:00 am and 12:30 am the following day; and 9:00 am and 11:00 pm on the Saturdays and Sundays immediately preceding and following December 31 (New Year's Eve).

• Even when used during the appropriate time, the person who uses or explodes the fireworks will be limited by ordinances of the county or city in which the fireworks are being used.

• If such a person violates the ordinance, they may be found liable for committing a simple misdemeanor, publishable by a fine of not less than $250.00.

As previously stated, the residents and/or users of the fireworks materials will be bound by both local and state law when engaging in celebrations. To help aid in safe and legal celebrations in the nearing month, below is a list of additional rules and regulations for some of the larger cities in the state of Iowa.  ‍

Iowa City

• In Johnson County, Iowa, where Iowa City, Iowa, sits, it is illegal to set off fireworks in unincorporated areas without a permit. In order to obtain a permit, a complete application must be given to the Board of Supervisors office – at a minimum – 14 days prior to the date of utilizing fireworks in the unincorporated area. More information can be found at www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/fireworks.  

• In general terms, if you live in Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, Lone Tree, University Heights, or Tiffin, you are not permitted to utilize fireworks without accessing a permit prior.  

• These regulations and restrictions go above and beyond the Iowa Code, meaning, you open yourself up to liability if you explode fireworks without a permit; even if doing so during a permissible date and time.  

• In comparing Johnson County and Iowa City to the cities mentioned below, Johnson County, Iowa, is one of the most restrictive areas as they relate to fireworks.  

Cedar Rapids

• Cedar Rapids, located in Linn County, Iowa, is similarly restrictive, but not as strict when it relates to unincorporated areas.  

• The City of Cedar Rapids allows for some “lower level” fireworks such as sparklers, caps, and snakes. All other fireworks are not permitted for use within the City limits of Cedar Rapids.  

• While the Iowa Code states violations of its regulations can result in a fine not less than $250, Cedar Rapids states that violations will be punishable by a fine up to $625.

• Consumer fireworks are allowed in unincorporated areas of Linn County on July 4 from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm and December 31 to January 1 from 9:00am to 12:30 am, which are more restrictive dates and times than the Iowa Code.

• Permission must be given by the property owner of the unincorporated area.  

• If you intend to use the fireworks as a display, a permit must be received by the Board of Supervisors. More information on such permits can be found at LinnCountyIowa.gov.

Des Moines

• Des Moines, located in Polk County, Iowa, has explicitly banned the use of consumer fireworks within its City limits. Similar to Cedar Rapids, the use of such fireworks in Des Moines carries the risk of a $625 fine.

• Des Moines carries such restrictions as they encourage and hope residents celebrate safely through the public displays of fireworks.

• The restrictions appear to stem from significant damage to the City’s parks in the past. In the year 2022, 22 of the city’s 77 parks received damage due to fireworks. After numerous hours were spent to repair such damage, more blanketed restrictions were put in place. https://www.dsm.city/news_detail_T2_R685.php#:~:text=Consumer%20fireworks%20are%20sold%20within,use%20carry%20a%20%24625%20fine.  

• This restriction does not apply to all of Polk County, Iowa Fireworks are permitted from June 1 to July 8 and December 10 to January 3 in unincorporated areas, similar to the Iowa Code.  

Davenport

• Davenport, Iowa, located in Scott County, Iowa, has a bit of a combination approach to the variations we have seen across the state of Iowa.

• Fireworks may be used on personal property from July 3^rd and 4^th between the hours of 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm; greatly restricting the date and time when the fireworks are permitted.  

• Similar to Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, violation of such restrictions may result in the charge of a simple misdemeanor with a fine of up to $625 [on the third offense].

• Davenport uses a graduated approach for violations: first offense is $250 plus court costs; second offense is $400 plus court costs; and third and subsuequent offenses are $625 plus court costs.

• For more information on Davenport local laws related to fireworks, see local rule Chapter 9.40.

While it is easy to review the Iowa rules and regulations and make the assumption that you are fine from a legal perspective, it is clear that is not the case. It is always encouraged to double-check the local rules within the County and City in which you intend to celebrate with fireworks, as there are clear differences; even in cities as close as Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.

Once everything is squared away from a legal perspective, that does not negate the risks of physical harm associated with fireworks which should also be reviewed and followed prior to celebrating.

General safety tips

To prevent harm, avoid allowing children to light and/or handle the fireworks. If children are using fireworks, ensure that they are older children under adult supervision. It is no secret that alcohol is heavily used during holiday celebrations. For further safety, ensure that the individual using or supervising the use of fireworks is not impaired by alcohol. Avoid using fireworks indoors, near homes, or other flammable materials – even lower-level fireworks such as sparklers can result in significant fire hazards if used in or near homes. To avoid fire hazards, keep a bucket of water or hose nearby to extinguish fireworks that do not extinguish on their own or in the event of a fire.  

When the fun is over, be aware that the remainder of the fireworks are likely hot and still possess the power to start a fire. It is advisable to soak used fireworks in water before discarding them to avoid the possibility of an unexpected fire after discarding the remaining fireworks.