Illinois Statewide Rule
Illinois Open Burning Restrictions Under EPA Air Rules
Key Facts
- Statute
- 415 ILCS 5/9
- Regulations
- 35 Ill. Adm. Code 237
- Banned materials
- Garbage, tires, debris
- Urban ban zone
- Municipality plus 1 mile
Summary
Illinois EPA regulations restrict open burning statewide, prohibiting the burning of garbage, landscape waste in many urban areas, and any materials producing dense smoke or air pollution.
(c) 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 and approved by the Agency pursuant to regulations adopted by the Board under this Act; except that the Board may adopt regulations permitting open burning of refuse in certain cases upon a finding that no harm will result from such burning, or that any alternative method of disposing of such refuse would create a safety hazard so extreme as to justify the pollution that would result from such burning.
Full Breakdown
Under the Illinois Environmental Protection Act, 415 ILCS 5/9, and 35 Ill. Adm. Code 237, open burning is generally prohibited except for limited exceptions. Allowed burns include small recreational fires, agricultural waste burning on the property where it grew, and landscape waste burning in certain rural areas only when not banned by local ordinance. Open burning of garbage, trade waste, demolition debris, tires, and treated lumber is prohibited statewide. Restricted areas cover any municipality with a population of 1,000 or more plus a one-mile zone beyond its boundaries, where landscape waste burning is generally banned. Illinois EPA enforces statewide; local governments may impose stricter rules.
Violations & Penalties
Violations may carry civil penalties up to 50,000 dollars per day plus 10,000 dollars for each day the violation continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn leaves in my Illinois backyard?
Is burning household trash ever allowed in Illinois?
Sources
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