With temporary businesses starting to show up in Jefferson to sell fireworks, now is a good time to review the City’s fireworks ordinance.

City Administrator Mike Palmer says the City’s ordinance does not allow for anyone to shoot off fireworks within the city limits, unless you have a permit to do so. He adds that it’s legal for businesses, including temporary businesses to sell fireworks in town, but they also need a permit to do so.

“We look at that those tents (and they) can’t be in a residential area. They need to be in a commercial area that’s zoned properly. We’ve not had any issues that I’m aware of with the tents. They get them up and down in a very timely manner.”   

Since the Iowa Legislature made it legal to sell and shoot off fireworks, it is still up to the individual city or county governmental entity to legalize the discharge of them. Anyone with questions regarding the City’s ordinance on fireworks may contact City Hall at 386-3111.