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General Burn Safety Guidelines

If burning is permitted in your area, follow these essential safety protocols:

  • Only burn on private property—never in the right-of-way or on streets.
  • Keep fires at a manageable size and never leave them unattended.
  • Avoid burning on windy days to prevent uncontrolled fires.
  • The burning of grass clippings, large branches, or garbage is typically prohibited.

Before conducting a controlled burn, check local ordinances to confirm legality. Notify your local fire department with your name, address, and the planned burn duration. If a fire gets out of control, call 911 immediately.

For the most up-to-date information, always consult local authorities or official municipal websites regarding burn ordinances in your area.

Burning the following items within the Village of Manhattan is strictly prohibited:

  • Leaves
  • Grass
  • Brush trimmings from trees and bushes
  • Garbage on any property, public or private
  • Any other item, material, or property prohibited by ordinance 7-5-2

Recreational fires are allowed on private property but must be supervised by an adult.

For details on the Village of Peotone’s burn ordinances, visit the official ordinance page: Peotone Burn Ordinance.

General Open Burning Regulations:

  • Burning of certain waste is prohibited: You cannot burn anything other than onsite generated landscape waste unless you have a permit from the Illinois EPA to operate an approved incinerator.
  • Municipal regulations may vary: If you live within a city or village, check with your local government for specific open burning rules.
  • Enforcement agencies: The Will County Sheriff’s Office and Will County Land Use Department have the authority to enforce nuisance fire regulations.

Alternative Waste Management Options:

  • Composting is encouraged as a way to dispose of yard waste instead of burning it.
  • Mulching grass/leaves with a lawnmower allows nutrients to return to the soil naturally.
  • Waste haulers can pick up landscape waste for a fee.

Will County Ordinance Chapter 93: Nuisance Fires

1. Section 93.017 – Permit Required:

  • You cannot burn waste without a permit from the Illinois EPA.

2. Section 93.018 – Location of Fires:

  • Fires must be at least 50 feet away from any structure.
  • Recreation fires (for cooking or entertainment) must also be at least 50 feet from structures.
  • Burning in the right-of-way is prohibited.
  • Patio wood-burning units (like fire pits or chimneys) must be at least 15 feet from structures.

3. Section 93.0185 – Recreation Fires:

  • Allowed materials: Sticks, limbs, logs, charcoal, or camping fuel.
  • Garbage, trash, lumber, building materials, and tires CANNOT be burned.
  • Fire size must not exceed 6 feet by 6 feet.

4. Section 93.019 – Fires Must Be Attended:

  • Fires must always be attended by a competent person until fully extinguished.
  • A hose or fire extinguisher must be available.
  • The local fire department must be notified before starting the fire.

5. Section 93.020 – Exceptions:

  • Burning of leaves, branches, or bushes is allowed only if originating from the owner’s property.
  • Controlled burns for agricultural, habitat reclamation, or firefighter training are not restricted under these rules.

6. Section 93.021 – Definition of a Neighboring Structure:

  • This includes houses, garages, sheds, pole barns, or any other buildings on an adjacent property.

7. Section 93.022 – Definition of Waste Material:

  • Waste materials include liquids, semi-solids, or solids, except for leaves, sticks, logs, and branches from the owner’s property and charcoal or camping fuel for cooking.

Complaint & Contact Information:

  • Will County Land Use Department, Resource Recovery and Energy Division:
  • Phone: (815) 727-8834
  • Will County Sheriff’s Office:
  • Phone: (815) 727-8575
  • Online Complaint Form: Available via the provided website link.