Arlington Heights, IL Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Arlington Heights, IL, also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance, set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
Key Facts
- Leaf/bonfire burning
- Declared a public nuisance (§19-204)
- Solid waste burning
- Banned except with fire-prevention authorization (§19-112a)
- Penalty
- $5-$750 per offense (§19-701b)
- Continuing violation
- Each day counts as a separate offense
- Abatement
- Village Manager may act after 7-day notice
Summary
Arlington Heights, Illinois (Cook County) declares the burning of leaves, solid waste, or the maintenance of any bonfire within Village limits a public nuisance under Section 19-204, and makes it unlawful to cause or knowingly permit that burning. A related smoke and particulate ban targets any fire, chimney, engine or oil burner emission that endangers public health or comfort.
The emission of smoke and particulate matter in the manner and quantity as to endanger or to be detrimental to the public health, safety, comfort or welfare is declared to be a public nuisance. It shall be unlawful for any person to cause or to knowingly permit the emission of smoke and particulate matter from any fire, chimney, engine, oil burner or from any other source in the Village in violation of this Section. The burning of leaves, solid waste or the maintenance of any bonfire within the corporate limits is declared to be a public nuisance. It shall be unlawful for any person to cause or to knowingly permit the burning of leaves or solid waste in any manner within the corporate limits of the Village in violation of this Section.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 3 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Section 19-204, "Smoke and Particulate Matter," carries two separate bans that together function as the Village of Arlington Heights' open-burning rule. " Because Section 19-204 sits in Chapter 19, Article II (Nuisances), the Village Manager can invoke the general nuisance abatement power in Section 19-208, ordering cleanup after seven days' notice, or immediately if there is an immediate danger to public health, and recovering costs through a property lien recorded with the Cook County Recorder. Section 19-207 clarifies that nothing in the smoke and burning rules limits stricter zoning-ordinance controls on smoke or particulate emissions.
Violations & Fines
A violation of Section 19-204's burning or nuisance smoke provisions falls under Chapter 19's general penalty, Section 19-701(b): a fine of not less than $5.00 nor more than $750.00 per offense, with a separate offense deemed committed for each day the violation continues or is permitted to continue. The Village Manager can also order direct abatement and lien the property under Section 19-208 if a burning-related nuisance goes uncorrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn leaves in my yard in Arlington Heights?
What's the fine for illegal outdoor burning?
Does the smoke ban only cover open burning?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Arlington Heights
How Arlington Heights compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Arlington Heights to another location·View the Illinois fire regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Outdoor Burning in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle outdoor burning.