One of the largest distributors of consumer fireworks in the U.S. is suing the City of Des Moines saying zoning rules restricting locations where fireworks can be sold are illegal.
American Promotional Events, Inc. dba TNT Fireworks Sales filed the lawsuit in Polk County District Court, saying that state law doesn't allow any regulation of fireworks sales locations. Des Moines and other central Iowa communities have restricted them to largely industrial-zoned areas.
The lawsuit claims the added restrictions, if allowed to remain, would cost the company $300,000 in lost sales during the 4th of July holiday period. It asks the court to block enforcement of the zoning rules.
The suit also requests an expedited hearing to review their petition.
Already, the State Fire Marshall's Office has approved fireworks sales licenses in areas other than those that are in industrially-zoned districts. Here's a map of the locations that have received fireworks licenses from the state up to today: