When Can You Legally Shoot Off Fireworks In The Quad Cities?

America's 248th birthday is right around the corner and we know what that means: fireworks. Yes, there are so many incredible fireworks shows in the Quad Cities on both sides of the Mississippi River. Heck, Red, White and Boom! happens on the Mississippi River.

But with fireworks being legal in Iowa, you'll probably hear more fireworks in your neighborhood than you want. If you hear them on the Illinois side even on July 4th, they are definitely breaking the law.

So, when and where can you shoot off fireworks at your home to convince your buddy to do so? We have the answers below.

When Can You Shoot Off Fireworks In Iowa?

Great question. Buying fireworks in Iowa and setting them off go hand-in-hand, depending on where you live. The state of Iowa law has parameters but cities can set their own ordinances like Davenport and Bettendorf, or prohibit them like Des Moines.

In Iowa, a permanent building can conduct the sales of fireworks between June 1st and July 8th, and again from December 10th and January 3rd. Temporary structures are only allowed to conduct sales between June 13th and July 8th.

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Iowa laws allow individuals to use or explode consumer fireworks between June 1st through July 8th and December 10th through January 3rd every year. Fireworks can only be used between these hours:

• 9 a.m. and 10 p.m.
• 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4 and the following Saturday and Sunday
• 9 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Deember. 31, including the following Saturday and Sunday

In Davenport and Bettendorf, things are a little stricter. This is the ordinance for fireworks use in Davenport:

• July 3 (5:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.)
• July 4 (5:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.)
• December 31 (10:00 P.M. – 12:30 A.M. On January 1)

In Bettendorf, consumer fireworks are restricted to July 3 and July 4 from 2:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. each day. Also, the night of December 31 from 10:00 p.m. until 12:30 a.m., the immediate following day.

In both Davenport and Bettendorf, the use of any consumer firework at a date or time other than those allowed is prohibited and punishable as a simple misdemeanor:

• First Offense - $250 + Court Costs (Totaling About $400)
• Second Offense - $400 + Court Costs
• Third And Subsequent - $625 + Court Costs

When Can I Shoot Off Fireworks in Illinois?

Never. It's illegal. Don't be that person.

See the full list of fireworks shows in the Quad Cities and surrounding area here.