Lake County Gazette

The Village has outlined specific regulations regarding open burning for residents.

Residents are generally prohibited from open burning, except for certain conditions:

- Burning of landscape waste between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm. Landscape waste includes leaves, brush, twigs, and sticks but excludes logs or other refuse, garbage, litter, or rubbish. The waste must be generated from the property and not brought in from elsewhere.

- Forestry restoration or management practices with a permit.

- Outdoor barbecues.

- Fire pits in containers approved for such use.

Recreational fires or bonfires may be allowed but only with a permit; special conditions will apply and be determined upon permitting.

Open burning is prohibited if an Air or Fire Quality Alert is declared by the Village President under various conditions. When allowed, open burning must comply with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) requirements and the following village rules:

- Extinguishers: A hose connected to a water supply must be within 10 feet of the fire or high-rated fire extinguishers (1–4A or 2–2A) must be present.

- Locations: The fire may not be located within front, side, or rear yards—the open areas forming the perimeter of each lot that must remain free of buildings and structures. Fires without covers/arrestors must be more than 50 feet from any structure while those with covers/arrestors should be over 15 feet away.

- Size: The fire may not exceed dimensions of five feet wide by five feet long by five feet high.

- Nuisance: Open burning smoke may constitute a nuisance under Village Code; residents are advised to consider wind direction and speed on days they choose to burn.

For forestry restoration or management practices, open burning requires permission from the Village Forester and adherence to all IEPA requirements.

Citations for violations can result in penalties up to $750 per day.