Fireworks Use

A new state law (SF303) took effect this year, banning cities and counties from prohibiting the use of fireworks on July 3, July 4, and December 31.

With the passage of this law, the city must allow the use of consumer grade fireworks on the following days this upcoming Fourth of July.
o July 3, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 pm
o July 4, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

These allowances MUST occur on private property or the real property of a person who has consented to the use of fireworks on that property (Iowa Code 727.2).
This means that the use of any fireworks in city parks, public green spaces, trails, and city streets remains prohibited on July 3 and 4.

It is also important to note that the use of “first-class consumer fireworks” in the City of Alta will be prohibited at all other times (City Code 4.03A- Ordinance 17-05). A violation of this code is a simple misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $250. The Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Department will respond to and investigate fireworks-related complaints.

“First class consumer fireworks” include: aerial shell kits and reloadable tubes, chasers, helicopter and aerial spinners, firecrackers, mine and shell devices, missile-type rockets, roman candles, skyrockets and bottle rockets, and multiple tube devices.