Leaf Burning

Leaf burning is a complicated issue that impacts more than your own yard. If you live in a Village, contact them to learn about restrictions.

The Lake County Board approved an ordinance to enact permanent open burning restrictions for unincorporated areas of Lake County. In addition to the ordinance, franchise waste hauler agreements to provide consolidated waste hauling services in unincorporated areas within certain Townships were approved.

The ordinance went into effect on June 1, 2022, to coincide with the start of consolidated waste hauling services.  The ordinance can be found online.

• Recreational wood-burning fires that are no larger than 3’ x 3’ x 3’ if  used for warming, cooking, and other recreational purposes are allowed.
• Burning garbage, refuse, or construction materials and burning non-woody yard waste, such as leaves and grass are prohibited at all times.
• Burning woody yard waste is permitted annually between Nov. 1 – March 31. Woody yard waste generally consists of sticks, branches and tree limbs.

To report a suspected open burning violation occurring in the unincorporated area, please call the Lake County Open Burning Hotline at (847)377-2999.