Outdoor Cooking in Illinois (2026)
22 rules on the books across Illinois, 18 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
BBQ & Propane Rules
When you can use a propane or charcoal grill on a balcony, deck, or patio. Many fire codes prohibit propane on multi-family balconies; some cities ban charcoal anywhere within 10 feet of a building.
Cicero
Heavy RestrictionsThe Town of Cicero bans open fires and grilling of any kind in its public parks. Section 82-390 makes it unlawful to…
Read full rule →Oak Lawn
Heavy RestrictionsOak Lawn's amended fire code bans charcoal and LPG propane grills within 10 feet of combustible construction and…
Read full rule →Arlington Heights
Significant RestrictionsArlington Heights enforces the 2018 International Fire Code with a local amendment that removes the exception letting…
Read full rule →Champaign
Some RestrictionsChampaign's property maintenance code bans charcoal grills and other open-flame cooking devices from combustible…
Read full rule →Chicago
Some RestrictionsNatural gas barbecue grills on multi-family balconies must be hard piped with an outside shutoff valve at the wall.
Read full rule →Evanston
Some RestrictionsEvanston bars barbecue grills from stairs and porches that serve as building exits, but allows them on balconies or at…
Read full rule →Rockford
Some RestrictionsRockford's nuisance code lets you cook with propane or charcoal only in a non-combustible container under roughly 2…
Read full rule →Schaumburg
Some RestrictionsSchaumburg's fire code bars charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices, including propane grills, from…
Read full rule →St. Clair County
Some RestrictionsBackyard grilling at a single-family home is unrestricted in St. Clair County. Under the adopted International Fire…
Read full rule →Waukegan
Few RestrictionsWaukegan's citywide ban on open burning of waste does not reach outdoor cooking: Section 15-26(a) exempts grills that…
Read full rule →Smoker Rules
Rules for backyard smokers, pellet grills, and wood-fired ovens including smoke-nuisance enforcement, time-of-day limits, and HOA restrictions.
Aurora
Significant RestrictionsRestaurants and bars operating under an Aurora, Illinois temporary outdoor seating or parklet permit must obtain a…
Read full rule →Chicago
Some RestrictionsNatural gas barbecue grills on multi-family balconies must be hard-piped with an outside shutoff valve, per the Chicago…
Read full rule →Lake County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Lake County, a backyard barbecue pit is exempt from the standard 50-foot bonfire clearance, but…
Read full rule →Mclean County
Some RestrictionsMcLean County prohibits open fires in Comlara Park, West Park and every other county park or recreational area. Cooking…
Read full rule →Naperville
Some RestrictionsNaperville's fire code allows attended charcoal or LP-gas cooking devices, including smokers, only when an adult stays…
Read full rule →Oak Lawn
Some RestrictionsOak Lawn's amended fire code names smokers alongside charcoal burners, gas grills and deep fryers, requiring 10 feet of…
Read full rule →Springfield
Some RestrictionsSpringfield bans open fires citywide but exempts backyard barbecue grills and cooking fires under City Code § 94.70(a)…
Read full rule →Tinley Park
Some RestrictionsVillage Code § 133.04(B)(13) bans operating a grill or doing open-flame cooking on the artificial turf at Harmony…
Read full rule →Champaign
Light RestrictionsChampaign lets residents cook over charcoal or small wood fires outdoors as long as the fire sits in a container…
Read full rule →Cook County
Few RestrictionsCook County's open burning ban exempts backyard smokers, grills, and campfires used for legitimate recreational or…
Read full rule →Waukegan
Few RestrictionsWaukegan exempts outdoor grills from its citywide open-burning ban under City Code Sec. 15-26(a), as long as the grill…
Read full rule →Outdoor Kitchen Permits
Building permits for built-in outdoor kitchens, including gas line installation, electrical, plumbing, structural permits, and setback rules from the main house.