Fireworks discharge varies in the county; be aware of laws

By KENT THOMPSON
Humboldt County Sheriff Dean Kruger and Humboldt Police Chief Joel Sanders want local citizens and visiting guests to enjoy the July 4th holiday, but to do so in a safe and responsible manner.
“The state has a fireworks ordinance, but that is superseded by local ordinance. Many local towns have passed fireworks ordinances and some have updated theirs within the past few years,” Kruger said. “In cases where there is no town ordinance regarding fireworks, the state law applies. It also applies for rural unincorporated areas of the county,” Kruger said.
State law (Iowa Code 727.2) says that 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. Hours that consumer fireworks may be exploded are between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m., with the exception of July 4 and the Saturdays and Sundays immediately preceding and following July 4 (July 1-2 and July 8-9 this year,) during which fireworks may be exploded between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Under the state law, people may shoot off fireworks between the hours of 9 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. on Dec. 31/Jan. 1. They may shoot off fireworks between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays immediately preceding and following Dec. 31.
It is illegal to sell consumer fireworks to a person under the age of 18 years old. A person who does so is guilty of committing a simple misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than $250.
A person who explodes consumer fireworks in disregard to a city or county ordinance where the discharge is prohibited or limited, is guilty of a simple misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than $250.
A person shall not use consumer fireworks on real property other than that person’s property, unless they have consent of the property owner to do so. It is also illegal for a person under the influence of alcohol or drugs to explode consumer fireworks.
Sanders reminds citizens in Humboldt that consumer fireworks are only permitted in Humboldt on Monday, July 3, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Tuesday, July 4, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. discharge is not allowed on public property or within 500 feet of the parade route or the Humboldt County Fairgrounds.
Kruger reminds people in the county that they cannot shoot off fireworks in parks, on streets or public right of ways.

His is a rundown of ordinances in area towns:
THOR, OTTOSEN, BODE and DAKOTA CITY: No fireworks permitted.
HARDY and LIVERMORE: No city ordinance Users must follow state law.
RENWICK and LU VERNE: No fireworks permitted but anyone shooting off fireworks must have a permit issued by City Hall first.
BRADGATE: Must follow state law, anyone shooting off fireworks must have a permit issued by the mayor or city clerk first.
GILMORE CITY: Private fireworks are allowed on private property between the hours of 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, July 3 and 4.
HUMBOLDT: Fireworks are allowed on Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fireworks will be allowed from 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31, to 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 1.
“We ask that people obey the law and the regulations of their respective communities. We will not hesitate to fine violators of the respective state code and local ordinances,” the sheriff said.
For a full rundown of July 4th activities in the community pick up a copy of this week's Humboldt Independent or subscribe by clicking on the link at the top of this page.