Dubuque, IA Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- Allowed dates
- July 3, July 4, December 31 only
- July 3 hours
- 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- July 4 hours
- 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Dec. 31 hours
- 9 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
- Minimum fine
- $250.00, simple misdemeanor
- Location limit
- Own or consented private property only
Summary
Dubuque allows consumer fireworks only on July 3, July 4, and December 31 during set hours, and only on your own property or with the property owner's consent. Discharging them on any street, park, or other public property is banned outright.
7-5A-10: PROJECTILES, SLINGSHOTS, KNUCKLES OF METAL OR OTHER MATERIAL, OTHER WEAPONS, AND FIREWORKS: ... ... D. Discharging Fireworks. ... ... 3. Prohibition: No person shall discharge, fire, light, set off, or burn, or otherwise use any consumer fireworks, or other device containing any explosive except on the following dates and times and pursuant to the following conditions: a. Dates and times: (1) July 3: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (2) July 4: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. (3) December 31: 9 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. b. Conditions: (1) Consumer fireworks may only be used on the real property of the person using the consumer fireworks or the real property of a person who has consented to the use of consumer fireworks on such property. (2) Consumer fireworks may not be used on any public property, including but not limited to any public street, public right-of-way, sidewalk, park, parkway, trail, or open space, place, or way. ... ... 5. Penalties: A person violating any provision of subsection D (paragraph 3) above shall be guilty of a simple misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00).
Full Breakdown
City Code section 7-5A-10.D lets residents fire consumer fireworks on three windows each year: July 3 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., July 4 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and December 31 from 9 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. Novelties, the smaller class of item covered by Iowa Code section 727.2(1), are allowed year round with no date restriction. Outside those three dates, discharging, firing, lighting, or burning consumer fireworks or any device containing explosive material is unlawful everywhere in the City. Even on an approved date, use is confined to the real property of the person doing the discharging or property whose owner has consented; it is barred on any public street, right-of-way, sidewalk, park, parkway, trail, or open space regardless of the date.
The City Council can grant a separate written permit for a supervised display-fireworks show run by a competent operator. Retailers selling consumer fireworks inside city limits must give the Fire Department a copy of their state-issued seller's license and proof of insurance, and must post signage on their premises stating that using consumer fireworks is prohibited in the City except on the three permitted dates. The provision was adopted by Ordinance 29-17 in 2017 and amended by Ordinance 23-25 on June 16, 2025.
Violations & Fines
Discharging consumer fireworks outside the three permitted dates and hours, or anywhere on public property at any time, is a simple misdemeanor carrying a fine of not less than $250.00 under 7-5A-10.D.5. Sellers who skip the required Fire Department license copy, insurance proof, or point-of-sale signage face separate code enforcement action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set off fireworks in a Dubuque park?
What happens if I light fireworks on a day that isn't July 3, July 4, or December 31?
Are novelty items like snap-and-pops or sparklers restricted to the same dates?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dubuque
How Dubuque compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·Compare Dubuque to another location·View the Iowa fire regulations overview
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