Des Plaines, IL Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)

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.