The Johnston Brief
Iowa legalized consumer fireworks back in 2017, but the law lets every city set its own rules for when, or whether, you can actually use them. Johnston went strict: setting off consumer fireworks inside the city is not allowed on any day. Before you light anything, here's exactly what that means, what is allowed, and where to see a show without risking a fine.
In Johnston, discharging consumer fireworks is prohibited within city limits - on July 4th, New Year's Eve, and every other day. Doing it anyway is a city ordinance violation that can carry a fine of up to $500. Novelty items like sparklers and snakes are allowed. For an actual show, Johnston's Green Days festival in June has featured a professional fireworks display at Terra Park.
No. The City of Johnston prohibits discharging consumer fireworks within city limits, and unlike some metro towns it does not carve out a single legal day for July 4th. This is the part that trips people up: Iowa allows fireworks sales for weeks around both July 4th and New Year's (state law permits retail sales roughly from June 1 through July 8), so it's easy to assume you can use them. In Johnston you cannot - the ban applies to every day of the year.
A property owner can also be held responsible for fireworks illegally set off by others on their property.
If someone's setting off consumer fireworks inside the city, report it to the Johnston Police Department non-emergency line - the current number is listed at cityofjohnston.com. Save 911 for a genuine emergency: a fire, or someone hurt.
Yes - and it's the low-stress way to see fireworks in Johnston without breaking the ordinance. Johnston's Green Days community festival, held in June at Terra Park, has included a professional fireworks display to close out the celebration: a pro show, no permit or fine on your end. The exact date and show time are set each year, so confirm them on the Green Days schedule before you go. We also post the confirmed time in the Brief and on the events calendar each summer.
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No. The City of Johnston prohibits discharging consumer fireworks within city limits on any day of the year, including July 4th and New Year's Eve. Johnston's rule is stricter than Iowa's statewide default, which lets individual cities set their own limits. Novelty items like sparklers and snakes are allowed.
Discharging fireworks within Johnston city limits is a violation of city ordinance and can carry a fine of up to $500 per violation. A property owner can also be held responsible for fireworks illegally set off by others on their property.
Yes. Novelty items such as sparklers and snakes are allowed in Johnston. It is the aerial and audible consumer fireworks, the store-bought kind that shoot up or explode, that are prohibited from being discharged within city limits.
Report fireworks being set off within Johnston city limits to the Johnston Police Department non-emergency line; the number is listed at cityofjohnston.com. Use 911 only for an actual emergency, such as a fire or an injury.
Yes. Johnston's Green Days community festival, held in June, has included a professional fireworks display at Terra Park. It is the low-stress way to see fireworks in Johnston without breaking the city ordinance. Confirm the current year's date and show time on the Green Days schedule before you go.