Does Champaign County, IL have its own outdoor burning ordinance?

No. Champaign County, IL does not appear to have a local outdoor burning ordinance, Illinois state law applies instead. The rules summarized on this page come from Illinois Compiled Statutes.

Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in Champaign County

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

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Outdoor burning rules in Champaign 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

Trash burning: Always illegal
Landscape waste: Only where produced
City limits: Restricted or banned
State law: 415 ILCS 5

Summary

Illinois bans burning refuse, and that applies everywhere in Champaign County. Landscape waste like leaves may be burned only on the property where it grew, but home-rule Champaign and Urbana restrict or ban open burning inside city limits.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Champaign County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Cause or allow the open burning of refuse, conduct any salvage operation by open burning, or cause or allow the burning of any refuse in any chamber not specifically designed for the purpose

Source: Illinois Compiled StatutesView official code

Full Breakdown

Open burning is governed by the Illinois Environmental Protection Act (415 ILCS 5) and Illinois EPA rules. Burning garbage, trash, or construction debris is always illegal. State law allows landscape waste such as leaves and yard trimmings to be burned only on the premises where it was produced, and Champaign County posts its own restrictions on landscape-waste burning. Because Champaign and Urbana are home-rule cities, they further limit or ban open burning within their limits, so most city residents should bag yard waste for municipal collection instead. Small clean-wood recreational fires are treated separately and are generally allowed.

Violations & Fines

Burning refuse violates the Environmental Protection Act and can bring Illinois EPA civil penalties and cleanup liability. A local open-burning violation in Champaign or Urbana brings a code citation and escalating fines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I burn leaves in Champaign County?

Only on the property where they grew, and only where local rules allow. Champaign and Urbana restrict or ban open burning, so city residents should use municipal yard-waste collection instead.

Is burning household trash ever allowed?

No. The Illinois Environmental Protection Act bans open burning of refuse everywhere in the state, including all of Champaign County. Only clean landscape waste and recreational wood fires may qualify.

Sources & Official References

[1]Illinois Compiled Statutes

Other rules in Champaign County

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome Restrictions Fire Pits & Backyard FiresSome Restrictions FireworksHeavy Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome Restrictions

All Champaign County rules

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

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