Fire Regulations in Springfield, IL (2026)
5 verified fire regulations for Springfield, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Springfield treats backyard fire pits as recreational fires under Chapter 94 of the city code (which adopts the International Fire Code). The Fire Safety Division requires fire pits to be located 25 feet from any structure or combustible materials (15 feet for portable outdoor fireplaces), capped at a 3-foot diameter and 2-foot height, burning only dry wood or charcoal.
Fire Pits Treated as Recreational Fires; 25-ft Setback
Some RestrictionsSpringfield Fire Department, Burn Regulations (Sept 2014); Springfield City Code Ch. 94 (International Fire Code adopted)
Fire pits are considered recreational fires. They should be 25 feet from a structure or combustible materials. For portable outdoor fireplaces, the distance is 15 feet. (Commercial properties only/single family and duplex are exempt for distances) Both types of open burning (for All properties) must meet the several conditions that follow: Must use only dry wood or charcoal fuel; Must be kept t...
Fireworks
Illinois's Pyrotechnic Use Act (425 ILCS 35/2) makes it unlawful to possess, sell, use, or explode consumer or display fireworks without a permit, and bottle rockets, Roman candles, firecrackers, and similar items are prohibited statewide. Only novelties like sparklers, snakes, and party poppers are unregulated. Springfield Fire Marshal-issued display permits are required for any fireworks display.
Consumer Fireworks Banned; State Law Preempts
Heavy RestrictionsOffice of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, Approved and Prohibited Consumer Fireworks and Unregulated Novelties (rev. 11/12/2025); 425 ILCS 35/1, 35/2
The Pyrotechnic Use Act (Act) expressly excludes the following novelty effects from the definition of Consumer Fireworks, 425 ILCS 35/1: snake or glow worm pellets; smoke devices; trick noisemakers known as "party poppers", "booby traps", "snappers", "trick matches", "cigarette loads", and "auto burglar alarms"; sparklers; toy pistols, toy canes, toy guns... While the Act states that the sale a...
Outdoor Burning
In the City of Springfield, open burning of yard waste, garbage, and construction materials is prohibited. Only recreational fires (fire pits, portable fireplaces) using dry wood or charcoal are permitted under Chapter 94 and the adopted International Fire Code, subject to size, setback, attendance, hours, and wind conditions. Outside the city, Sangamon County allows landscape/agricultural waste burning under conditions.
Yard Waste and Garbage Burning Banned; Recreational Fires Only
Heavy RestrictionsSpringfield Fire Department, Burn Regulations (Sept 2014); Springfield City Code Ch. 94 (International Fire Code 2006 adopted)
Springfield: Burning of yard waste, garbage, construction materials, etc. is prohibited. To meet local ordinance (chapter 94) and city code (International Fire Code 2006 adopted), several conditions apply for open burning (i.e. recreational fires). ... The open burning of agricultural, domicile and landscape waste in Sangamon County only when: 1. On the site waste is generated. 2. In areas othe...
Smoke Detectors
The Illinois Smoke Detector Act (425 ILCS 60/3) requires every Springfield dwelling unit to have at least one approved smoke detector within 15 feet of every room used for sleeping, and every single-family residence to have a detector on every story including basements but excluding unoccupied attics.
Smoke Detectors Required on Every Story; State Act Governs
Some RestrictionsIllinois Smoke Detector Act, 425 ILCS 60/3(a)-(b)
Every dwelling unit or hotel shall be equipped with at least one approved smoke detector in an operating condition within 15 feet of every room used for sleeping purposes. The detector shall be installed on the ceiling and at least 6 inches from any wall, or on a wall located between 4 and 6 inches from the ceiling. ... Every single family residence shall have at least one approved smoke detect...
Propane Storage
Springfield doesn't cap how much propane a resident can store, but Sec. 94.65 does require physical protection for above-ground LPG and natural gas installations exposed to vehicle traffic: bollards or posts around meters, regulators, piping and tanks near alleys, driveways or parking areas, sized to the 2018 International Fire Code's Section 312 standard.
Springfield LP-Gas & Gas Meter Protection Rule
Some RestrictionsSpringfield, IL Code of Ordinances Sec. 94.65 (Ord. No. 190-04-06, § 1(Exh. A), 4-4-06; Ord. No. 056-02-23, § 1(Exh. A), 2-21-23)
When exposed to probable vehicular damage due to proximity to alleys, driveways, or parking areas, above-ground gas meters, regulators, piping and tanks for LPG and natural gas installations shall be suitably protected as follows as outlined in 2018 IFC section 312:(1)Posts or bollards shall be a minimum of four-inch steel pipe filled with concrete or be of a material of equivalent strength.(2)...
Looking for Sangamon County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Springfield city rules.
Fire Regulations in Sangamon County →