Bang, bang, boom!

The sound of freedom often means the bang of fireworks around the Fourth of July, but the ability to blast away depends on where you live.

Hartley, Everly and Royal have adopted differing rules regarding fireworks since their sale and use were legalized in Iowa six years ago. Denizens of each community should note their local rules in the week ahead as Independence Day celebrations commence – municipalities can impose stricter regulations than those allowed by state law.

HARTLEY

Hartley residents can only discharge fireworks on July 3 and July 4 from 10 a.m.-11 p.m., both days. Several other rules apply during that timeframe:

• No person under the age of 18 shall discharge DOT 1.4 class fireworks without direct supervision by a parent or legal guardian;

• A person can only discharge a fireworks device on real property they own or on property where consent has been expressly given. Fireworks cannot be discharged within 500 feet of city-owned or public property, except in the case of the city-owned swimming pool, where fireworks shall not be discharged within 1,000 feet;

• Fireworks cannot be discharged by people showing visible signs of intoxication or who are under the influence of drugs or narcotics;

• It is unlawful to alter, remove or discharge components of a fireworks device from its intended method of discharging;

• Sky lantern open flame devices are not permitted to be released within the city limits, except if tethered by a retrievable rope so long as the person discharging has control over the device;

• No person can discharge or allow the use of fireworks to occur within 50 feet of an occupied structure in the city limits;

• No person shall discharge or allow the use, explosion or other discharge of fireworks in any downtown commercial or industrial district within the city limits.

Residents will receive a warning for violating the ordinance. If the issue continues, the individual will be fined $100 for the first violation, $200 for the second and $400 for the third. A fourth offense and each subsequent offense will land a $500 fine.

EVERLY

The use of fireworks in Everly is allowed on private property only beginning the weekend before July 4 and ending the weekend after July 4 (9 a.m.-10 p.m.), and again from Dec. 26-Jan. 2 (9 a.m.-10 p.m.).

Special hours are permitted on July 4 (9 a.m.-11 p.m.) and Jan. 1 (9 a.m.-12:30 a.m.).

Other rules dictating their usage follow state code.

ROYAL

The Royal City Council has not implemented any specific rules on fireworks, and has instead opted to follow state code regulating their usage.