Backyard recreational fires are permitted in Des Plaines so long as no garbage or yard waste is burned and any device is UL-listed. State rule 35 Ill. Adm. Code 237.120 exempts campfire, recreational, and cooking fires 'provided that no garbage shall be burned,' and City Code 5-2-5 allows noncommercial cooking and approved fire pits.
Illinois air-pollution rules distinguish recreational fires from prohibited waste burning. 35 Ill. Adm. Code 237.120 exempts 'The burning of fuels for legitimate campfire, recreational and cooking purposes, or in domestic fireplaces, in areas where such burning is consistent with other laws, provided that no garbage shall be burned in such cases.' Des Plaines implements this through City Code 5-2-5, which bans burning garbage, refuse, and yard waste but excepts noncommercial cooking of food in outdoor fireplaces or grills and UL-listed and approved outdoor wood-burning fireplaces or fire pits. In practice, a backyard fire is lawful if it (1) uses clean dry wood or charcoal - never leaves, refuse, or trash, (2) is contained in an approved device or a managed campfire, and (3) is consistent with neighbor and nuisance rules. The fire must be attended and extinguished; smoke that creates a nuisance can still draw an air-pollution complaint under 415 ILCS 5/9.
Burning garbage or yard waste at a backyard fire violates City Code 5-2-5 and 35 Ill. Adm. Code 237.120, exposing the resident to municipal fines and possible Illinois EPA air-pollution penalties under 415 ILCS 5/9. The Fire Department may order an unlawful or unsafe fire extinguished.
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Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines City Code 6-2-7(E) applies its dBA limits to vehicles and equipment on the public right of way (excessive at 65 dBA daytime / 50 dBA quiet hours ...
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines City Code 6-2-7(F) makes it unlawful to operate any sound-production or amplification device whose sound crosses a property line and raises total...
Des Plaines, IL
Outdoor music in Des Plaines falls under Title 6, Chapter 6's amplified-sound provisions. Backyard gatherings with amplified music must comply with the 10 PM...
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines City Code Title 12 (Zoning) and Title 8 (Building) require residential driveways to be paved with approved hard-surface materials and meet width ...
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines prohibits feeding deer, coyotes, raccoons, and other wild animals that creates a nuisance or attracts dangerous wildlife. Bird feeding is general...
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines City Code prohibits keeping horses, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and other livestock in all residential and most commercial districts. Only tradi...
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