Newton City Council voted on Wednesday, May 24 to allow limited usage of fireworks in city limits. The terms voted upon go into effect on June 1, the same day the Iowa state law goes into effect.
Citizens within Newton city limits may discharge fireworks on:
- July 4 from 9 A.M. to 11 P.M.
- December 31 from 9 A.M. to 12:30 A.M. on January 1
Other requirements for firework use in city limits include:
- A person must be 18 years or older to purchase consumer fireworks
- No person under the age of 18 is allowed to discharge a DOT 1.4 class consumer firework without parental supervision.
- A person can only discharge a consumer firework on real property they own or on property where consent has been given.
- Consumer fireworks cannot be discharged by anyone showing visible signs of, or determined to be, intoxicated or under the influence of a drug or narcotic.
- Any person discharging a consumer fireworks device assumes all responsibility for its operation and the consequences thereof. No person shall discharge a consumer fireworks device in a reckless manner or manner likely to cause death, injury, fire, or property damage.
- Fireworks may not be altered, removed or discharged from its intended method.
- Sky lantern open flame devices are not permitted to be released within the city limits, except if tethered by a retrievable rope so long as the person discharging has control over the sky lantern.
If a person violates the regulations, they would be guilty of a simple misdemeanor which is punishable by a fine of no less than $250.
