With the recent legalization of consumer fireworks in the State of Iowa, the Perry City Council wanted to make sure they laid out some rules for how citizens can use them within City limits.

To that end, at their most recent meeting they passed a fireworks ordinance that takes effect immediately. The rules stated in the ordinance include: fireworks can only be fired on July 4th from 4-11 p.m.; a person must be 18-years or older to shoot fireworks; you must be on your own property or property you have permission to use them on; they are prohibited from streets, sidewalks, public areas, and cemeteries; they cannot be fired within 200 yards of a hospital or senior care facility; and you can’t be over the legal alcohol limit or under the influence of drugs or narcotics.

Anyone found in violation of the rules will face a fine of $500. City Administrator Sven Peterson says the rules in the ordinance are in place, but this year will still be a sort of test drive for fireworks in Perry. “We’re hoping that people respect this law, and abide by it for this year. We’ll see how it goes, and if people respect it and can handle it, we’ll see how it goes next year, too.”

Peterson adds, with the short timeframe the Council had to work with to get an ordinance passed, he believes they found a good compromise for everyone. “I think City Council did a really great job of looking at both sides of the people that had concerns with maybe pets, children, people with medical conditions, as well with the people that want to enjoy this new right of setting off fireworks in Iowa.”

Normally ordinances such as this require three readings, which typically takes at least two meetings. However, since public safety was a concern and the window to buy and use fireworks was already open as of June 1st, the Council agreed to suspend the rule and had the final reading of the ordinance at their last meeting to make it official.

To hear more about this and other topics from the recent Perry City Council meeting, listen to Tuesday’s Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program at RaccoonValleyRadio.com.