Burn Ordinances
General Burn Safety Guidelines
If burning is permitted in your area, follow these essential safety protocols:
• Only burn on private property—never in the right-of-way or on streets.
• Keep fires at a manageable size and never leave them unattended.
• Avoid burning on windy days to prevent uncontrolled fires.
• The burning of grass clippings, large branches, or garbage is typically prohibited.
Before conducting a controlled burn, check local ordinances to confirm legality. Notify your local fire department with your name, address, and the planned burn duration. If a fire gets out of control, call 911 immediately.
For the most up-to-date information, always consult local authorities or official municipal websites regarding burn ordinances in your area.
Burning the following items within the Village of Manhattan is strictly prohibited:
• Leaves
• Grass
• Brush trimmings from trees and bushes
• Garbage on any property, public or private
• Any other item, material, or property prohibited by ordinance 7-5-2
Recreational fires are allowed on private property but must be supervised by an adult.
For details on the Village of Peotone’s burn ordinances, visit the official ordinance page: Peotone Burn Ordinance
General Open Burning Regulations:
• Burning of certain waste is prohibited: You cannot burn anything other than onsite generated landscape waste unless you have a permit from the Illinois EPA to operate an approved incinerator.
• Municipal regulations may vary: If you live within a city or village, check with your local government for specific open burning rules.
• Enforcement agencies: The Will County Sheriff’s Office and Will County Land Use Department have the authority to enforce nuisance fire regulations.
Alternative Waste Management Options:
• Composting is encouraged as a way to dispose of yard waste instead of burning it.
• Mulching grass/leaves with a lawnmower allows nutrients to return to the soil naturally.
• Waste haulers can pick up landscape waste for a fee.
Will County Ordinance Chapter 93: Nuisance Fires
1. Section 93.017 – Permit Required:
• You cannot burn waste without a permit from the Illinois EPA.
2. Section 93.018 – Location of Fires:
• Fires must be at least 50 feet away from any structure.
• Recreation fires (for cooking or entertainment) must also be at least 50 feet from structures.
• Burning in the right-of-way is prohibited.
• Patio wood-burning units (like fire pits or chimneys) must be at least 15 feet from structures.
3. Section 93.0185 – Recreation Fires:
• Allowed materials: Sticks, limbs, logs, charcoal, or camping fuel.
• Garbage, trash, lumber, building materials, and tires CANNOT be burned.
• Fire size must not exceed 6 feet by 6 feet.
4. Section 93.019 – Fires Must Be Attended:
• Fires must always be attended by a competent person until fully extinguished.
• A hose or fire extinguisher must be available.
• The local fire department must be notified before starting the fire.
5. Section 93.020 – Exceptions:
• Burning of leaves, branches, or bushes is allowed only if originating from the owner’s property.
• Controlled burns for agricultural, habitat reclamation, or firefighter training are not restricted under these rules.
6. Section 93.021 – Definition of a Neighboring Structure:
• This includes houses, garages, sheds, pole barns, or any other buildings on an adjacent property.
7. Section 93.022 – Definition of Waste Material:
• Waste materials include liquids, semi-solids, or solids, except for leaves, sticks, logs, and branches from the owner’s property and charcoal or camping fuel for cooking.
Complaint & Contact Information:
- Will County Land Use Department, Resource Recovery and Energy Division:
- Phone: (815) 727-8834
- Will County Sheriff’s Office:
- Phone: (815) 727-8575
- Online Complaint Form: Available via the provided website link.