600 N. Deerpath Drive Vernon Hills, IL 60061
Open burning is permitted in unincorporated Lake County under certain circumstances:
Learn more about the temporary emergency ordinance for Lake County here.
Temporary Open Burning Restrictions in Unincorporated Lake County
The Lake County Board recently voted to amend a temporary emergency ordinance that allows open burning on all properties in unincorporated Lake County from sunrise to sunset only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The ordinance also allows open burning from sunrise to sunset on any day of the week if the burning occurs at least 500 feet from the nearest habitable structure. The ordinance is effective through January 1, 2022.
Per Section 307.5 of the 2012 International Fire Code, all fires must be attended and there must be an extinguishing device immediately available, such as a hose with running water.
Recreational fires that are no larger than 3’ x 3’ x 3’ used for warming, cooking, and other recreational purposes are still permitted on all days of the week. Burning garbage, refuse, or construction materials remains prohibited.
For the other towns we cover please refer to the open burning requirements from our attached brochure as they are able to follow those requirements again. Click here to download copy of brochure.
Open Burning Regulations
Please notify Countryside Dispatch (non-emergency) at (847) 362-5224 before doing any burning.
| Jurisdiction | Regulations |
| Village of Vernon Hills | Open burning is NOT permitted. Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits are permitted only when firewood is used for recreational purposes in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. |
| Village of Long Grove | The burning of leaves, grass clippings or construction debris is NOT permitted. Burning of twigs, branches, and small trees is permitted. With a permit, prairie conservation areas are allowed to be burned in a controlled manner. |
| Village of Hawthorn Woods | Open burning is NOT permitted. Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits are permitted only when firewood is used for recreational purposes in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. With a permit, wetland or prairie conservation burns may be allowed to be burned in a controlled manner. |
| Indian Creek | Burning of leaves or grass clippings is NOT permitted. Burning of twigs, branches and logs is permitted. With a permit, prairie conservation areas are allowed to be burned in a controlled manner. |
| Unincorporated Lake County | Burning of leaves and small branches is permitted during daylight hours (please read temporary emergency ordinance in effect now). Open burning must be 25′ from any structure and 50′ from schools and roads. Absolutely no burning on roads. The burning of landscape waste must be generated on the property. Maximum size of any burn pile is 5′ in diameter and 3′ high. |
| Bonfires (All Areas) | Requires notification and approval from the District. |
Downloadable Brochures/Ordinances/Newsletters
Guide to Open Burning in the Countryside Fire Protection District (Revised April 2020)
Open Burning Guide-Indian Creek
Village of Long Grove 2014-2015 IEPA Open Burn Permit
Village of Long Grove 2015 Open Burn Sites Master List
Village of Hawthorn Woods Open Burning Ordinance No. 1409-12
Village of Hawthorn Woods E-Blast Newsletter regarding Open Burning
Lake County Fire Prevention Safety Requirements
Lake County Public Nuisance Ordinance
Open Burn Permit Application