News : A request from some of our local veterans

As the 4th of July rolls around, and fireworks are now being sold in town, I've had requests to ask residents to refrain from shooting them off in town. Vinton is home to several veterans who suffer from PTSD. Out of respect for them, please do not set them off in town. As I type this, someone just set some off in my neighborhood. 

Even without this request…

FIREWORKS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE USED WITHIN THE CITY OF VINTON

City of Vinton Ordinance Chapter 41.14.3 Consumer Fireworks: It is unlawful for any person to use or explode consumer fireworks within the City.

Iowa Code 727.2 (3(c(1) A person who uses or explodes consumer fireworks or novelties while the use of such devices is prohibited or limited by an ordinance adopted by the county or city in which the fireworks are used commits a simple misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars.

CLICK HERE to view Iowa Code 727.2

Click HERE to view Vinton City Ordinance 41.14 which addresses fireworks inside the city limits...or it is below.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 727.2)

1.                   Definitions.  For purposes of this section:

A.                 "Consumer fireworks" means the following fireworks, as described in Chapter 3 of the American Pyrotechnics Association ("APA") Standard 87-1:

(1)        First-class consumer fireworks:

a.         Aerial shell kits and reloadable tubes;

b.         Chasers;

c.         Helicopters and aerial spinners;

d.         Firecrackers;

e.         Mine and shell devices;

f.          Missile-type rockets;

g.         Roman candles;

h.         Sky rockets and bottle rockets;

i.          Multiple tube devices under this paragraph which are manufactured in accordance with APA Standard 87-1, Section 3.5.

(2)        Second-class consumer fireworks:

a.         Cone fountains;

b.         Cylindrical fountains;

c.         Flitter sparklers;

d.         Ground and hand-held sparkling devices, including multiple tube ground and hand-held sparkling devices that are manufactured in accordance with APA Standard 87-1, Section 3.5;

e.         Ground spinners;

f.          Illuminating torches;

g.         Toy smoke devices that are not classified as novelties pursuant to APA Standard 87-1, Section 3.2;

h.         Wheels;

i.          Wire or dipped sparklers that are not classified as novelties pursuant to APA Standard 87-1, Section 3.2.

B.                  "Display fireworks" includes any explosive composition, or combination of explosive substances, or article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or detonation, and includes fireworks containing any explosive or flammable compound, or other device containing any explosive substance.  "Display fireworks" does not include novelties or consumer fireworks enumerated in Chapter 3 of the APA Standard 87-1.

C.                  "Novelties" includes all novelties enumerated in Chapter 3 of the APA Standard 87-1, and that comply with the labeling regulations promulgated by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.

2.                   Display Fireworks.  It is unlawful for any person to use or explode any display fireworks; provided, the City Council may, upon application in writing, grant a permit for the display of display fireworks by municipalities, fair associations, amusement parks, and other organizations or groups of individuals approved by the City when the display fireworks will be handled by a competent operator, but no such permit shall be required for the display of display fireworks at the Iowa State Fairgrounds by the Iowa State Fair Board, at incorporated county fairs, or at district fairs receiving State aid..  No permit shall be granted hereunder unless the operator or sponsoring organization has filed with the City evidence of insurance in the following amounts:

A.                 Personal Injury:........... $250,000.00 per person

B.                  Property Damage:........ $50,000.00

C.                  Total Exposure:........... $1,000,000.00

3.         Consumer Fireworks.  It is unlawful for any person to use or explode consumer fireworks within the City.