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St. Clair County, IL Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Outdoor burning rules in St. Clair 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

Allowed
Landscape waste, on-premises only
Never burn
Garbage, trash, construction debris
Restricted areas
Cities/townships of 1,000+
State rules
415 ILCS 5; Part 237
Local override
Cities may ban entirely

Summary

Illinois EPA rules allow burning landscape waste (leaves, branches, brush) only on the premises where it is produced and outside restricted areas. Open burning is prohibited within cities and populated townships. Local ordinances may ban it entirely, so check your municipality before lighting a burn pile.

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

Landscape wastes, including trees, tree trimmings, branches, stumps, brush, weeds, leaves, grass, shrubbery, and yard trimmings may be open burned upon the premises where it is produced. State law does not override local prohibitions or limitations on open burning.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

Open burning in Illinois is governed by the Environmental Protection Act and the Pollution Control Board's Part 237 rules. Landscape waste, leaves, grass, tree limbs, and yard trimmings, may be burned on the premises where it is generated, but not in a 'restricted area,' which includes any city, village, or incorporated township (plus a one-mile zone) with a population of 1,000 or more. Garbage, trash, and construction debris may never be open-burned. State law does not override stricter local prohibitions, so incorporated municipalities in St. Clair County commonly ban residential burning outright. Confirm rules with your city or the county before burning.

Violations & Fines

Illegal open burning is enforced by the Illinois EPA and local authorities; violations of the Environmental Protection Act can bring civil penalties and cleanup/enforcement orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I burn leaves in St. Clair County?
Only if you are outside a restricted area (a city or populated township) and burning landscape waste on the property where it was produced. Many municipalities ban residential burning outright: check locally first.
Can I burn household trash outdoors?
No. Burning garbage, trash, plastics, and construction debris is prohibited under Illinois open-burning rules everywhere in the state, regardless of location.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in St. Clair County

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsFire Pits & Backyard FiresSome RestrictionsPropane StorageSome RestrictionsSmoke DetectorsSome RestrictionsFireworksSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSignificant RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome Restrictions

All St. Clair County rules

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

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