Fire Regulations in Lake County, IN (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Lake County, Indiana.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Small recreational backyard fires are allowed under the state open-burning exemption, but only at homes of four or fewer units, in a contained non-combustible pit burning clean wood. Apartments and mobile home parks are excluded, and yard waste is never allowed.
Backyard Fires in Lake County, Indiana
Some RestrictionsCrown Point / Lake County Open Burning
Treated wood, trash, plastics and yard waste (including leaves, grass, and branches) may NOT be burned. Fires may not create a nuisance or a fire hazard.
Fireworks
Consumer fireworks in unincorporated Lake County may only be used during set windows around Independence Day and New Year's, not whenever a resident chooses. Outside those hours, any use, ignition, or discharge is an infraction carrying a $250 fine under § 102.99, regardless of the type of consumer firework involved.
Lake County IN Fireworks Use Dates
Some RestrictionsLake County, IN Code § 102.02 (Ord. 1288A, passed 6-12-2007)
Consumer fireworks may not be used, ignited or discharged except during the following times: (A) Between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and two hours after sunset on June 29, June 30, July 1, July 2, July 3, July 5, July 6, July 7, July 8, and July 9; (B) Between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. on July 4; and (C) Between the hours of 10:00 a.m. on December 31 and 1:00 a.m. on January 1.
Outdoor Burning
Open burning is prohibited statewide unless it fits an IDEM exemption. In Lake County, burning leaves, grass, sticks, and other yard waste is banned everywhere. Only clean-wood recreational fires and narrow agricultural or land-clearing exemptions apply.
Outdoor Burning in Lake County, Indiana
Some Restrictions326 IAC 4-1-3
The fires shall not be used for disposal purposes. Fires shall not be located within five hundred (500) feet of any fuel storage area or pipeline.
All Lake County ordinances
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