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City manager warns residents about new state fireworks law and updated allowable hours
Summary
City manager briefed the council on Senate File 303, which preempts local restrictions on fireworks on July 3, July 4 and Dec. 31 and sets allowed hours; staff advised residents about enforcement limits and when to contact police for fireworks on city property.
Decorah’s city manager informed the council that the recently adopted Senate File 303 changes the city’s authority to restrict fireworks and provided the new allowable discharge hours and enforcement guidance.
The city manager said the state law removes the city’s and county’s ability to prohibit fireworks on July 3, July 4 and Dec. 31, and specified allowable hours: on July 3 the discharge window opens until 10:00 p.m. (later corrected in discussion to 10:00 p.m. on July 3 and 10:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. on July 4 in the city manager’s explanation). He told residents the city cannot prevent on‑property discharges that occur within the state’s time window and encouraged residents to contact state representatives for changes to state law. The manager said the police department may still respond when fireworks are discharged on city property, in parks or in the public right of way or when people shoot fireworks where they do not have permission to do so.
Council members asked clarifying questions about where residents should direct complaints and enforcement boundaries; staff reiterated that if fireworks are set off on property where the shooter lacks permission (for example, city parks or other private property without consent), residents should call police, but the city cannot establish a city‑wide ban for the specified state dates.
The city manager requested that the council allow staff to publicize the change to reduce calls to city services during the holiday windows.
