Consumer fireworks were set off across the state of Iowa this 4th of July, but some may have not been following their city’s ordinance.

The state law governs that cities may restrict the use of fireworks within city limits, but not the sale. The City of Kalona made no changes to their fireworks ordinance since the new legislation was passed. Mayor Ken Herington explains, “We’ve had an ordinance in place for I don’t know how many years but a long time, where fireworks are prohibited within our corporate limits. We made no changes after the state made a change, we left it at that. And honestly we have had no one come in and ask for anything to be changed or for us to even look at the ordinance, so at this point it’s sort of a dead issue.”

Not everyone may be aware of a city’s ordinance as Herington says, “There’s always been a few fireworks set off around the 4th of July since we’ve lived here. I honestly don’t think that changed a bit this year. There were a few, you could hear them, you could see them.” Herington says if the sheriff’s department was called out on fireworks use it was a minor situation. According to the Washington County Communications Office from July 1-4 dispatch received one complaint about fireworks in Kalona.

Consumer fireworks can be bought and used through July 8. Kalona ordinance states use of fireworks is prohibited without a city granted permit.