The Ankeny Brief
Three days a year, and those are the hours on the city's fireworks page. Ankeny used to be a July 4 only town, and plenty of people still say so. That's out of date. Senate File 303, signed May 19, 2025, says an Iowa city council can only limit consumer fireworks on days other than July 3, July 4 and Dec. 31. Older news stories and older code language may still say otherwise, so go by the city's current page.
Every other day stays off limits inside city limits. That includes New Year's Day after 12:30 a.m., the weekend before the Fourth, and any evening you see a tent still selling. Being able to buy them doesn't mean you can light them. Live just outside town? Unincorporated Polk County allows use June 1 to July 8 and Dec. 10 to Jan. 3, according to the city, so check the city limit map linked there before assuming.
Only on your own property, or on the property of someone who has said yes. All public property is out.
First- and second-class consumer fireworks. Anything more is out. The city's own lists:
Call the Ankeny Police non-emergency line, 515-286-3333, option 5. It's answered 24 hours a day through Polk County Dispatch, and you can stay anonymous. Save 911 for a fire or an injury. The fine for illegal use can run up to $250.
Pets are the other thing to plan for. The police department notes more pets go missing on the Fourth than any other day, so keep yours inside a secure room, make sure tags are current, and sweep the yard for debris before letting them out. A lost pet report goes to the same non-emergency line.
Yes, and they're in July. Ankeny SummerFest at The District at Prairie Trail (July 10 to 12 in 2026) wraps up with a fireworks show; past schedules put it around 9:15 to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday. The District also held an Independence Day celebration with fireworks on July 2 this year. We post each year's dates and times in the Brief as soon as they're confirmed.
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On three days: July 3 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., July 4 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Dec. 31 from 9 a.m. until 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 1. Those are the dates and hours on the city's fireworks page.
Yes, from 9 a.m. on Dec. 31 until 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 1. A 2025 state law, Senate File 303, stopped Iowa cities from limiting use on that day. Older reports saying Ankeny only allows July 4 are out of date.
Yes, until 10 p.m. July 3 is one of the three legal dates, with hours of 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Only until 12:30 a.m., as the tail end of the Dec. 31 window. After that, it's illegal inside city limits.
Only on your own property, or on someone else's property with their consent. Use on public property is prohibited, including city streets, public parking lots and parks.
Explosives such as M-80s and quarter sticks, and display fireworks without a city permit. First-class and second-class consumer fireworks are allowed on the legal dates.
Yes. The city says illegal use can result in a fine of up to $250.
Call the Ankeny Police non-emergency line at 515-286-3333, option 5, which is answered 24 hours a day, and you can report anonymously. Use 911 only for an actual emergency, such as a fire or injury.
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