Cerro Gordo supervisors to consider amendments to fireworks sales ordinance

MASON CITY — The Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors Tuesday will consider amending the county’s ordinance dealing with fireworks sales.

Two years ago, the supervisors approved an ordinance that restricted the sale of consumer-grade fireworks to industrial-zoned districts only, prohibited the sale of fireworks from temporary structures, and created a special fireworks sales permit. The county needs to amend the ordinance to do away with the sales permit after a court ruling last year that said local governments cannot require special permits for the sales of fireworks.

The amendment would also: reverse the prohibition on the sale of fireworks from temporary structures, including tents; prohibit the sale of fireworks within any public right-of-way; amend the county zoning ordinance to exempt fireworks from the requirement for Board of Adjustment approval for the outdoor display of merchandise; requires any seller to be issued a zoning permit as any change of use would be required under the zoning ordinance and establishes a process for review; and maintains a requirement for inspection by the local fire chief and the zoning administrator after a zoning permit has been issued but before any sale of consumer fireworks takes place.

The supervisors will hold a public hearing about the amendment followed by a vote during their meeting Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock in the first floor boardroom at the courthouse.