Firework ordinance earns added hours

Just in time for the Fourth of July, the city of Creston has updated their firework ordinance to comply with new state code, granting Iowans more time for fireworks during the holiday.

Creston’s firework ordinance previously allowed the discharge of fireworks from 5 to 11 p.m. July 2 through July 5. This was the only time of the year Crestonians were allowed to use consumer fireworks without a permit for special occasions.

Senate File 303, signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds May 19, provides an extra day and more hours to Creston pyrotechnics. The law requires all cities and counties allow “the use of consumer fireworks or display fireworks” on July 3 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., July 4 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Dec. 31 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. the next morning.

While smaller towns have often allowed fireworks in the past, cities like Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City had banned the use of consumer fireworks within city limits.

Taking this new ruling into account, the Creston City Council approved amendments to Ordinance 25-11, waiving the second and third readings, to include these state times and dates. The city will keep their previous times for July 2 and July 5. Therefore, the upcoming times when fireworks are allowed in Creston are:

- Thursday, July 3 - 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

- Friday, July 4 - 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

- Saturday, July 5 - 5 to 11 p.m.

State code also contains other regulations on fireworks, including a ban on the sale of fireworks to people under age 18 and a prohibition on individuals and organizations setting off “display” fireworks — bigger fireworks often used in professional shows — without permission from their local government. Setting off fireworks in a public park or other city property is also still banned without local approval, as state law bans the use of consumer fireworks outside of a person’s own property or that of someone who has consented to fireworks being used at their property.

When the law was moving through the Iowa Legislature earlier this year, Democrats speaking on behalf of local governments and law enforcement criticized the measure, saying the areas that had banned consumer fireworks because of the public safety hazards caused by fireworks. But Republicans, including Rep. Bill Gustoff, Des Moines, floor manager for the measure in the House, said the change was needed to allow Iowans to fully celebrate the Fourth of July without fear of breaking local laws.

Gustoff said allowing these celebrations was especially important this year in light of President Donald Trump’s plan to launch celebrations in Iowa leading up to the nation’s 250th anniversary July 4, 2026.

Iowa Capital Dispatch contributed to this story.