Cedar Falls City Council Updates Fireworks Ordinance

During the Cedar Falls City Council meeting on June 6, 2022, the Council voted to update the fireworks ordinance in Cedar Falls. Consumer fireworks are permitted within the city limits on July 3, 4, and 5 of each year between the hours of noon and 11:00 p.m. on July 4 and the hours of noon and 10:00 p.m. on July 3 and 5. This includes first-class and second-class consumer fireworks*.

To help enforce this updated ordinance, the City will be conducting a zero-tolerance policyon violators. Those that violate the new fireworks ordinance with the use of fireworks outside of the designated time and dates or interfere with enforcement shall be guilty of a municipal infraction and receive a $375.00 fine for the first offense. A second offense is a $500.00 fine and the third offense is a $1,000.00 fine. Following the third violation, any additional offenses will be $1,000.00.

The use of fireworks during these designated times shall only occur on the user's owned real property. Unless a permit has been obtained, they are not allowed on city-owned property, public sidewalks, right of ways, streets, parks, or parking lots. All consumer fireworks debris must be removed.

The use of consumer fireworks that mimic display fireworks* or rise to 150 decibels or to 210 feet elevation is banned from use at all times within city limits unless the user has obtained a permit. Residents may enjoy novelty fireworks including party poppers, snappers, toy smoke devices, snakes and glow worms, and wire sparklers year-round.

Vendors

Vendors of consumer fireworks must possess a license from the State Fire Marshal. Any retailer or community group selling consumer fireworks must prominently display, at the entrance and exit sites, signage informing customers of the Cedar Falls fireworks ordinance including the designated date and times that consumer fireworks are permitted within city limits. To ensure compliance, the City will be monitoring vendors during sales periods as well as providing informational flyers for vendors to print and have on-site.

Fireworks Safety

Cedar Falls Fire Rescue reminds citizens to be safe when using fireworks. Have a water source nearby, avoid lighting them in dry grass, do not wear loose clothing around fireworks, and be aware of windy conditions. It is prohibited to direct fireworks in any direction other than the user's owned real property or the real property where the owner has given prior consent. Never allow children to play or ignite fireworks and do not try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not been ignited fully. Light fireworks one at a time then move back quickly. Soak fireworks in water before throwing them in the trash. Always remember that fireworks are not toys, do not direct them or throw them at another person or pet, and always point them away from yourself. Ensure that all members of your family are educated in fireworks safety.

* First-class consumerfireworks are: (1) Aerial shell kits and reloadable tubes. (2) Chasers. (3) Helicopter and aerial spinners. (4) Firecrackers. (5) Mine and shell devices. (6) Missile-type rockets. (7) Roman candles. (8) Sky rockets and bottle rockets. (9) Multiple tube devices set forth under this definition that are manufactured in accordance with APA standard 87-1, section 3.5.

*Second-class consumerfireworks are: (1) Cone fountains. (2) Cylindrical fountains. (3) Flitter sparklers. (4) Ground and handheld sparkling devices, including multiple tube ground and handheld sparkling devices that are manufactured in accordance with APA standard 87-1, section 3.5. (5) Ground spinners. (6) Illuminating torches. (7) Toy smoke devices that are not classified as novelties pursuant to APA standard 87-1, section 3.2. (8) Wheels. (9) Wire or dipped sparklers that are not classified as novelties pursuant to APA standard 87-1, section 3.2.

*Display fireworks are: any explosive composition, or combination of explosive substances, or article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation, and includes fireworks containing any explosive or flammable compound, or other device containing any explosive substance.]

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