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Cook County, IL Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

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

Outdoor burning rules in Cook County, 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

Governing section
Cook County Code § 30-385
Scope
Countywide, except City of Chicago
Permit fee
$36 per day of burning
Permit validity
Up to one year
Enforcing agency
Dept. of Environment and Sustainability

Summary

Cook County bans open burning countywide (except Chicago) under Sec. 30-385, unless the burn fits a narrow exception, like on-site landscape waste, or the Department of Environment and Sustainability issues a burn permit.

City-specific rules exist: Oak Lawn, Skokie, Oak Park, Tinley Park, Schaumburg, Des Plaines, Chicago, and Arlington Heights have their own outdoor burning rules that differ from Cook County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

No person shall cause or allow open burning except as provided in Subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this section. No person shall cause or allow the burning of any refuse in any chamber or apparatus, unless such chamber or apparatus is designed for the purpose of disposing of the class of refuse being burned.

Source: Cook County Code Ch. 30 - EnvironmentView official code

Full Breakdown

Section 30-385 of the Environmental Control Ordinance bans open burning across Cook County outside Chicago's city limits. Narrow exceptions apply without a permit: on-site agricultural waste burned at least 1,000 feet from homes, schools or hospitals; on-site landscape waste burned away from municipalities that prohibit it; campfires, recreational fires and domestic fireplaces; and small flames for welding or heating tar. Burning landscape waste elsewhere, prairie or forest management burns, and firefighter-training burns require a Department of Environment and Sustainability permit valid up to one year, plus a $36 fee for each day of burning under the Chapter 32 fee schedule.

Violations & Fines

Violating Sec. 30-385 carries a fine of $300 to $10,000 under Sec. 30-131(b), with each day the violation continues counted as a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have a campfire in Cook County?
Yes. Section 30-385(b)(4) exempts campfires, recreational fires and domestic fireplace burning from the open burning ban, as long as the fire doesn't cause air pollution.
Can I burn yard waste on my property?
Only if it's generated on-site, burned away from municipalities that ban it, and doesn't create a visibility hazard on roads or rail lines: otherwise a Department permit is required.
Does this ban apply in Chicago?
No. Section 30-6 limits Chapter 30, including the open burning rule, to the County outside the corporate limits of the City of Chicago, which regulates burning separately.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Cook County

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsFire Pits & Backyard FiresLight RestrictionsFireworksHeavy RestrictionsSmoke DetectorsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningFew Restrictions

All Cook County rules

How Cook County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Cook County to another location·View the Illinois fire regulations overview

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Outdoor Burning in Cities Across Cook County

Chicago, ILEvanston, ILOak Park, ILSchaumburg, ILArlington Heights, ILSkokie, ILDes Plaines, ILOrland Park, ILTinley Park, ILOak Lawn, IL