(Le Mars) — Now that the Iowa legislature has passed the fireworks bill and Governor Terry Branstad has signed the bill into law, many Iowa counties and municipalities are scrambling to set up zoning ordinances for designated areas for sales and for the discharge of fireworks. Le Mars Fire Chief Dave
Schipper met with both the Le Mars City Council and the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday to inform them about the rules associated with the state fireworks bill. Schipper says local communities may be able to dictate whether
or not fireworks can be discharged, but according to the state law, they cannot prevent the sale of fireworks.
Schipper says the city’s public safety committee has discussed the issue of fireworks, and have the approval from the city council and city administration.
He says fireworks will be allowed to be sold within the city limits of Le Mars, but the sale of fireworks will need to follow the ordinances already in place.
Schipper says the law has established the dates and times fireworks will be allowed to be discharged. He talks about those dates and times leading up to and immediately following Independence Day.
Schipper says the law also allows for fireworks sales and discharge around the time we ring in a new year.
The Le Mars Fire Chief says the fine for shooting fireworks beyond the designated dates and times could cost you as much as $250.
