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Sangamon County, IL Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)

Light Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Fire pit rules in Sangamon County, IL, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.

Key Facts

Governing exception
§ 8.04.360
Garbage burning
Never allowed
Numeric size limit
None set
Applies in
Unincorporated county only

Summary

Recreational campfires and cooking fires are allowed in unincorporated Sangamon County without a burn permit, but garbage may never be burned and the fire must otherwise comply with applicable law.

City-specific rules exist: Springfield has its own fire pits & backyard fires rules that differ from Sangamon County's county-level regulations. If you live in Springfield, check the city-specific page instead.

The following activities are not in violation of Section 8.04.350 unless they cause air pollution... The burning of fuels for campfires, 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.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Section 8.04.350 bans open burning countywide except as listed in 8.04.360. That exceptions list separately allows campfires, recreational fires, cooking fires and domestic fireplaces, provided no garbage is burned and the burning is consistent with other laws. Unlike the agricultural and landscape-waste exceptions in the same section, the campfire exception carries no numeric size, area or setback requirement: the county regulates it by purpose and by the no-garbage rule rather than by dimension.

Violations & Fines

Burning garbage in a backyard fire, or open burning outside these listed exceptions, violates Section 8.04.350; the county health department can issue a summons under Section 8.04.420, with fines of $250-$500 per day under 8.04.430.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for a backyard campfire in unincorporated Sangamon County?
No. Section 8.04.360 exempts campfires, recreational and cooking fires from the open-burning ban, as long as no garbage is burned and other laws are followed.
Does the county set a size limit for backyard fires?
No. Unlike the agricultural and landscape-waste burning exceptions in the same section, the campfire exception has no numeric size or setback requirement.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Sangamon County

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsFireworksSignificant RestrictionsOutdoor BurningSignificant RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome Restrictions

All Sangamon County rules

How Sangamon County compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Sangamon County to another location·View the Illinois fire regulations overview

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Fire Pits & Backyard Fires in Cities Across Sangamon County

Springfield, IL