Will County, IL Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Will 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
- Setback
- 50 ft from neighboring structures
- Waste burning
- Requires state/IEPA permit
- Recreation fires
- Capped at 6x6 feet, no permit
- Penalty
- $50/$150/$500 for repeat offenses
- Scope
- Unincorporated Will County only
Summary
Will County bars burning waste materials without a state or Illinois EPA permit, requires all outdoor fires to sit at least 50 feet from neighboring structures, and caps recreation fires at six feet square.
Waste materials of any nature shall not be disposed of by burning on the premises or in the immediate vicinity without having obtained a permit from the state or the State E.P.A. (1980 Code, § 93.017) (Res. 85-179, passed 12-19-1985; Res. 99-210, passed 5- 20-1999; Ord. 09-245, passed 8-20-2009) Penalty, see § 93.999 § 93.023 LOCATION OF FIRES.
(A) Fires shall be located not less than 50 feet, unless otherwise specifically provided for herein, from any neighboring structure, with adequate provision made to prevent spreading of the fire. Legitimate recreation fires shall be located not less than 50 feet from any neighboring structure.
(B) Burning in right-of-way is strictly prohibited.
(C) Fires contained in a “patio wood-burning unit”, being a chimnea, patio warmer or other portable wood burning device used for outdoor recreation and/or heating shall be at least 15 feet from any neighboring structure. (1980 Code, § 93.018) (Res. 85-179, passed 12-19-1985; Res. 99-210, passed 5- 20-1999; Res. 00-469, passed 11-16-2000; Res. 02-78, passed 2-21-2002; Ord. 09- 245, passed 8-20-2009)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-25: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinance No. 24-100, passed 4-18-2024 and Res. 23-387, passed 11-16-2023; and State legislation approved through 2024 Pamphlet #2).
Full Breakdown
Will County Code § 93.022 prohibits disposing of waste materials by burning on the premises or in the immediate vicinity without a permit from the state or the State E.P.A. Section 93.023 requires fires to be located at least 50 feet from any neighboring structure (15 feet for a chiminea or other patio wood-burning unit) and bars burning in the right-of-way. Recreation fires under § 93.024 are capped at six feet by six feet and may only burn sticks, logs, charcoal or cooking/camping fuel. Section 93.026 exempts dry leaves, branches and bushes originating on the owner's property, plus agricultural, habitat-reclamation and firefighter-training burns, from the permit requirement. This chapter applies in unincorporated Will County; Joliet, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Plainfield and Lockport enforce their own separate fire and burning codes inside city limits.
Violations & Fines
A first violation of §§ 93.020-93.029 draws a $50 fine, a second offense $150, and a third or later offense $500, plus court costs; the Sheriff's office enforces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn yard waste in unincorporated Will County?
Do I need a permit for a backyard fire pit?
Does this apply inside Joliet or Bolingbrook?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Will County
How Will County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Will County to another location·View the Illinois fire regulations overview
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