The Pella City Council considered restrictions to the use and location of sale of fireworks in the community during Policy and Planning following the regular meeting scheduled Tuesday.

City staff outlined potential options for the council to possibly implement this summer in response to the legalization of fireworks this past legislative session.

Current Pella code prevents the use and sale of fireworks in the city limits. However, the new legislation passed by the State of Iowa allows fireworks from June 1 through July 8 and December 10 through January 3.

Pella city staff is recommending the city council approve a resolution which prohibits the use of fireworks within Pella, but still allows the council to issue permits for display fireworks during the Fourth of July. A fireworks ban currently in place has to be revisited because of the state law change. In addition, staff also suggested a zoning amendment which limits the sale of fireworks to areas zoned as either Limited Light Industrial (M1) or Heavy Industrial (M2), mainly due to the safety of storing fireworks and the potential for fires spreading in more densely packed areas. The city anticipates litigation against municipalities that aim to restrict sales to certain zoning areas, and are waiting on the court rulings to decide their next course of action.

A resolution to ban the use of fireworks will be held at the next Pella City Council meeting on Monday, June 19th, while the restriction of sales will be reviewed at a meeting to be determined.