Iowa laws by category

No permit is needed to carry a handgun in Iowa, openly or concealed, for adults who may lawfully have one, residents and visitors alike; a permit to carry weapons is optional. Exceptions may apply — read the full rule.

Iowa is a control state at the wholesale level only: the Alcoholic Beverages Division is the exclusive spirits wholesaler, but spirits are sold at retail by private grocery, convenience and liquor stores holding a Class "E" license, and there is no state-run retail. Beer and wine are also sold privately.

Radar detectors are legal in private passenger vehicles in Iowa — Iowa Code chapter 321 has no ban on them. Exceptions may apply — read the full rule.

In Iowa, open burning is prohibited except listed exemptions (567 IAC 23.2). Exceptions may apply — read the full rule.

In Iowa, you need a freshwater fishing license from age 16. Licenses are issued by the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR).

Iowa's state sales tax is 6% of the sales price of tangible personal property sold at retail in the state (Iowa Code §423.2(1)); the same 6% applies to sales of gas, electricity and water service and to tickets and admissions (§423.2(2)-(3)), and a matching use tax covers goods bought elsewhere for use in Iowa. Exceptions may apply — read the full rule.

Recreational cannabis is illegal in Iowa, which has only a low-THC Medical Cannabidiol program administered by Iowa HHS. Smokable and raw flower are not permitted.

In Iowa, firearm deer hunters must wear one or more solid blaze-orange outer garments; upland-bird hunters must wear an article at least 50% solid blaze orange.

Iowa sports betting is legal, retail and online/mobile, and you must be 21+ (live since Aug 15, 2019). Regulated by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission; remote registration.

In Iowa, a person 12 to 17 may operate a motorboat over 10 hp or a PWC only if they completed a DNR-approved boater education course or are accompanied on board by a responsible adult. That person must be at least 18 years old and experienced in operating the vessel.

Iowa lists switchblade knives as "dangerous weapons" (Iowa Code 702.7) but not as offensive weapons; the offensive-weapons list (724.1) names ballistic knives. Exceptions may apply — read the full rule.

Iowa has no statute criminalizing private drone surveillance; Iowa Code 808.15 only makes warrantless drone-gathered information inadmissible as evidence.