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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
It’s legal to set off fireworks in Iowa this Fourth of July, but some restrictions apply
The law changed July 1. Here’s when you can legally use fireworks in Iowa.
Jul. 3, 2025 5:30 am, Updated: Jul. 3, 2025 7:30 am
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Fireworks vendors and law enforcement alike are preparing for Independence Day celebrations after new legislation was passed this year prohibiting cities from banning the use of fireworks on July 3, 4 and Dec. 31.
Previously, dozens of Iowa cities — including Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Coralville and North Liberty — had banned the use of consumer fireworks.
The new law — Senate File 303 — went into effect July 1.
“We have no choice in the matter but to allow sales, and have no choice in the matter but to allow the use of fireworks,” Cedar Rapids Fire Marshal Stephen Mast said.
Even though consumer fireworks are legal to use this year in Cedar Rapids — between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. on July 3, and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4 — Mast still recommends not using them.
“The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to go to a professionally shot show,” Mast said. “It's free. They use fireworks that are much bigger. They're display fireworks. They're fireworks you couldn't buy as a consumer. And they're shot by professionals at appropriate distances, in an appropriate area.”
If you are planning to shoot off consumer fireworks, Mast advises the public to follow safety protocols, like keeping them out of reach of children, always having water nearby and soaking all fireworks in water before throwing them away.
It’s also important to remember that consumer fireworks can only be used on private property with permission of the property owner, Mast said. City parks are not open for firework use, and parking lots of private businesses should not be used for fireworks without permission.
“We’ve had problems in the past with our parks. People set off fireworks in the parks. It’s not authorized,” Mast said. “They leave their trash, and last year, I believe, they did some damage. It took $3,000 to repair damage. In addition, they had 56 bins of trash related to fireworks that city staff had to clean up.”
Last month, from June 1-23, the Cedar Rapids Police Department responded to 49 fireworks-related calls for service, and those numbers will continue to go up as the holiday gets closer. Last year, the department responded to 636 calls between June 1 and July 8. Officers issued 12 fireworks citations.
The Cedar Rapids Fire Department, in the same time, responded to two fireworks-related dumpster fires, two fireworks-related grass fires, one fireworks-related small debris fire, and several other small fires that had evidence of being caused by fireworks, but where fireworks couldn’t be determined as the only cause.
Fines for misusing fireworks vary based on the infraction, but start at more than $300, according to the Cedar Rapids Police Department.
Fireworks enforcement can be difficult, since officers have to see the infraction being committed, and often by the time police respond to a report of fireworks being used when and where they shouldn’t be, the offenders have already left, said Tom Daubs, the public information officer for the Marion Police Department.
“If we can catch them in the act, they’re looking at a court complaint that requires them to appear in court — it’s not like a traffic ticket — and then they’ll have to explain to the judge why they were shooting off fireworks,” Daubs said.
Marion, unlike Cedar Rapids, did allow consumer fireworks to be used in past years on July 4, but that has now been expanded to July 3 with the new state law.
“I kind of liken it unto the our UTV ordinance. A lot of people were excited to get that, and they want to police themselves, like, ‘Hey, let’s not ruin this. We’ve got a privilege here. Let’s not blow it.’ That kind of mindset,” Daubs said, referencing a Marion ordinance adopted in 2022 allowing utility terrain vehicles to drive on Marion streets. “So, I’m hoping that now, with the fireworks being allowed, that people just are aware of that, they do it safely, and they’re responsible.”
Vendor numbers remain steady this year
There are 32 licensed firework vendor locations in Linn County this year, according to state data. The county had the same number of licensed vendors last year, and had 31 in 2023.
There were 28 vendors in the county in 2022, the same year a state law was passed prohibiting cities from restricting fireworks vendors. After adoption of that law, vendors were allowed to sell fireworks in Cedar Rapids even though fireworks couldn’t be used within the city limits. In 2021, there were only 16 vendors in Linn County.
Michelle Conrad and her family have been selling fireworks in Linn County for several years, with a Bellino Fireworks tent in the Fareway parking lot at 885 Miller Rd., Hiawatha. They weren’t able to sell last year because the parking lot was being repaved and they couldn’t find another location. She said they’re glad to be back and hoping to see increased purchases this year, now that fireworks can be used everywhere in the county.
“We have some faithful customers that already have contacted us and said, ‘Oh, I'm so glad you're back,’” Conrad said.
Conrad works the tent with her husband, kids and grandchildren, and said it’s become a family tradition.
“We have a huge selection. We’ve got a lot of stuff for kids, and then we got all the way up to 500 grams, so we’ve got some great stuff for adults, too,” she said.
Conrad said their family keeps a couple years worth of stock in a warehouse, which came in handy this year as foreign tariffs have increased prices for many fireworks vendors. The family opted not to buy new stock this year and not to raise their prices, hoping that prices will even out and they’ll be able to restock in future years.
The tent opened June 25, after setting up the two days before. It will be open through July 5. Conrad said the most popular times for sales are weekends and evenings, and they tend to see more people buying in the few days right before the holiday.
Conrad said the business has been lucky in the past and not seen much loss due to theft, partially because her husband, Steve Conrad, stays at the tent overnight during the selling season.
“My husband’s obsessed. My husband is absolutely obsessed. He makes spreadsheets, everything for our inventory,” she said. “Being a family run business, it’s difficult because we don’t have the numbers, but of course, it’s a lot of reward. We really enjoy it.”
Comments: (319) 398-8328; emily.andersen@thegazette.com
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