Fireworks will be allowed in Cedar Rapids for an extended period inside city limits this Fourth of July holiday.

The Cedar Rapids City Council approved a new law during a special meeting Friday allowing private use of fireworks during the days around the Fourth of July and New Year's. The new ordinance passed 5-2.

The change coincides with a new state law approved this year allowing the sale of fireworks in Iowa around the same two holidays. That law still allows local governments to ban the use of fireworks but several cities that had bans have now lifted them to match state law.

The city code previously banned all use of fireworks inside city limits and the Cedar Rapids fire chief opposed changing that, even with the new state law, citing safety concerns.

Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett recommended the city follow state rules, at least through this first holiday period, because there was no time to draft a more restrictive rule.

Council member Scott Olson, who was an eventual "no" vote proposed allowing fireworks but on a more restrictive time schedule. Olson wanted fireworks use allowed only on July 3rd & 4th and December 31st and January 1st.

The action by the city council means the use of retail fireworks by anyone will be allowed from June 1st through July 8th and December 10th through January 3rd. The state law does restrict hours of use on certain days.

At least two potential fireworks vendors also attended the special council meeting.

Paul Myers, a display coordinator for J&M Displays of Burlington, has arranged the Freedom Fest fireworks display since 2001.

Myers says he is considering setting up a retail operation in the Cedar Rapids area but will have to see what the permitting process involves. The state fire marshal was directed by the new state law to come up with a permit. But vendors at the council meeting says that hasn't happened yet.

Corbett believes the council will study the issue after the 4th and may come up with tighter rules before the January 1st use period.