Regulations of Open Fires and Burning of Landscape Waste

As the year winds down and fall cleanup continues for the next few weeks in preparation for winter, please review the Village's regulations of Open Fires and Burning of Landscape Waste.

In summary, a reduction in air quality or increase in fire risk brought about by various conditions such that the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the Village or residents of nearby communities is likely to be jeopardized by the continued burning of landscape waste or recreational fires. A person shall not cause or allow open burning within the Village unless such open burning is conducted under one of the following exceptions:

Bonfire:

An outdoor fire which is utilized for ceremonial purposes and which is kindled from fuel stacked more than three feet (3') in height. It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct a bonfire except upon receiving a special permit from the Village. The application for such permit shall contain, at a minimum, information regarding the purpose of the proposed burning, the nature and qualities of material to be burned, the date when the burning will take place, the location of the burning site, the on site fire extinguishing equipment to be provided and such other information which may be required of the applicant to demonstrate that the burning can be safely conducted.

Fire Pit or Fire Ring:

A firebox or container or outdoor fireplace made of steel, cooper, stone or bricks or other combustion resistant material in which combustion occurs and which is designed for the purpose of maintaining a controlled outdoor fire that is commonly utilized for providing an outdoor source of warmth or as a campfire for outdoor gatherings. Fire pits and fire rings shall not be placed under low hanging trees and shall be kept away from deck railings, siding or any combustible materials.

Outdoor Cooking:

An outdoor fire kindled for the purpose of cooking food for human consumption.

Recreational Fire:

An outdoor fire kindled in a fire pit or fire ring, the purpose of which is primarily for general recreational entertainment.

Landscape Waste:

Fallen leaves, brush, twigs, sticks, but does not include any grass cuttings or "garbage", "litter", "refuse" or "rubbish" (as each of such terms is defined in section 4-3-1 of this code).

Open Burning:

Definition: The burning of any materials wherein the products of combustion are emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed chamber.

Any open burning shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished.
At least one portable extinguisher or a water hose connected to a water supply on the lot where the burning is done and kept no more than ten feet (10') from the location of the fire shall be available for immediate utilization.
Open burning shall not be utilized for waste disposal purposes, shall be of the minimum size for the intended purpose. All fire pits or fire rings, if not using liquid propane or natural gas as fuel, shall utilize seasoned dry firewood to minimize the generation and emission of odors and air contaminants.

Burning Conditions:

It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct open burning in the Village at any time following the declaration of an air quality alert or fire alert. The Village may order the extinguishment of any open burning that will be offensive or objectionable due to smoke or odor emissions when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous or objectionable.

Open burning of landscape waste on any lot shall be conducted with due regard for maintaining safe and controlled conditions under which such burning shall occur. Open burning shall be limited to landscape waste generated from the property in question and shall be confined to an area having dimensions no more than five feet by five feet by five feet (5' x 5' x 5'). All landscape waste which is open burned shall be open burned in accordance with the requirements of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and shall be dry enough to minimize excessive smoke or odors. Garbage or any other material that is not landscape waste shall not be open burned. (Ord. 06-2-3, 2-21-2006)

Penalty

Any person violating any provision of this article shall be fined not less than seventy five dollars ($75.00) nor more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00) for each offense, except where a specific penalty is provided for in a specific section hereof or is limited by State Statute. Each day's continued violation shall be deemed a separate offense. (Ord. 06-2-3, 2-21-2006)

Click here to review the REGULATIONS OF OPEN FIRES AND BURNING OF LANDSCAPE WASTE