Iowa’s new fireworks law strikes down prior ordinances that many cities enacted to restrict or prohibit the shooting off of consumer-grade fireworks within city limits.
Starting with this July Fourth holiday, it is now legal to shoot off fireworks in town on Thursday, July 3rd, between the hours of 9 am and 10 pm and on Friday, July 4th from 9 am to 11 pm. Fireworks can only be set off on your property and cannot be used on city streets or city parks without a permit.
If you’re planning on shooting fireworks, New Hampton Police Chief Conrad Rosendahl urges people to be respectful of others and don’t light them up outside of lawful hours.
He also advises making sure fireworks are aimed in a safe direction away from houses and people and having a water hose or some source of water available and ready just in case of a fire. And, if you’re drinking, leave the fireworks to someone who is sober to avoid an accident or hurting yourself or others.
Fireworks can also be shot off in Iowa on New Year’s Eve, from 9 am December 31st to 12:30 am January 1st.
Rosendahl recently marked his one year anniversary of leading the New Hampton Police Department. He started working for the City on July 1, 2024, when he succeeded former police Chief Tim Pederson, who resigned in April 2024 following an off-duty incident in which he initially pocketed $40 left behind by another customer at a Waterloo retail store before returning the money to the store.
