Council schedules public hearing after finding city fireworks rules don’t match state timeframes

A committee member told the council that Le Mars’ local rules for fireworks and some temporary sales structures do not match current state timeframes and recommended aligning the city code with state law.

"So the dates are allowed as Jason said, but the times we have in there is, in the 11. It's actually 9AM by the state code now," the committee member said, arguing that a cleanup of Chapter 48 would avoid future state interventions and simplify enforcement.

The committee member said the state requires cities to allow tent sales and certain fireworks dates, and recounted a safety incident involving a tent collapse that injured one person as an example of risks tied to temporary structures. The speaker suggested a public hearing to gather input rather than making an immediate ordinance change.

At the meeting a councilmember moved to set a public hearing on Chapter 48 (Fireworks) for Aug. 18, 2026, at 12 p.m.; Jason seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote; individual vote tallies were not specified in the transcript.

If the council votes to amend the code after the hearing, staff indicated the likely change would be to match the city time limits to what the state allows — while retaining the city’s ability to set the number of days for temporary sales. The hearing is intended to collect public input on dates, allowable hours and any safety or zoning conditions the public would like the council to consider.