In order to conduct a bonfire within the Village of Gurnee and Warren-Waukegan Fire Protection District, the following permit process must be completed:

1. Fill out and submit the attached applicant information form.
2. Submit a detailed site plan for review. 
3. Schedule a site inspection with this office.
4. The bonfire shall meet the requirements of the 2012 International Fire Codes, Section 307 and the Gurnee Municipal Code, Chapter 34, Article V.

Note to permit applicant:

Pursuant to your compliance of all requirements as stated in this permit process, you will be issued a permit to conduct a bonfire.

Residents that reside in the Village of Gurnee are not permitted to burn landscape waste per the Gurnee Municipal Code, Chapter 34, Article V. Outdoor Fires.

Residents that reside in the unincorporated areas of Lake County within the Warren-Waukegan Fire Protection District are required to comply with the Lake County Public Nuisance Ordinance, Article 2, Section 1, (i) Open Burning of Landscape Waste.

It is a public nuisance to conduct open burning of grass clippings and tree trunks in the designated unincorporated area, subject to the following exceptions:

1. Waste burned is generated from its own property.
2. The prohibition in this subsection (i) shall not apply to: recreational fires, campfires, self contained outdoor burn devices, and ceremonial fires if no garbage, junk and debris, tree trunks, leaves, flowers, or weeds are burned in such fires.
3. Notwithstanding the prohibition of this subsection (i), open burning of specified landscape waste shall be allowed in the designated unincorporated area when all of the following restrictions are met:

1. the burning is conducted between five o’clock (5:00) PM and eight (8:00) PM or sunset, whichever is earlier, Monday through Friday and between twelve o’clock (12:00) PM and eight o’clock (8:00) PM or sunset, whichever is earlier, on Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays;
2. the burning has been extinguished with no smoke emanating after eight o’clock (8:00) PM or sunset whichever is earlier;
3. the burning occurs on the premises where the landscape waste was generated; and
4. the burning is conducted no closer than fifty (50) feet from a school property line, fifty (50) feet from the centerline of the road, twenty-five (25) feet from a building, and twenty-five (25) feet from the side property line.

1. Landscape waste burning shall be conducted by a qualified person(s).
2. Landscape waste fires shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished.
3. On-site fire-extinguishing equipment, such as dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose or water truck, shall be available for immediate utilization. 
4. Landscape waste burning that will be offensive or objectionable because of smoke or odor emissions when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous shall be required to be extinguished.  The Commanding Fire Officer at the scene is authorized to require the extinguishment of the landscape waste burning which creates or adds to a hazardous or objectionable situation.  Should the property owner be uncooperative, contact the Lake County Sheriff to assist.

In order to conduct an open burn within the Village of Gurnee and the Warren – Waukegan Fire Protection District, the following permit process must be completed:

1. All open burns shall meet the requirements of the 2012 International Fire Code, Section 307 – Open Burning and Recreational Fires and the State of Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Standard Conditions For Open Burning.
2. A permit shall be obtained from the Fire Marshal prior to kindling a fire for recognized silvicultural or range wildlife management practices, or prevention or control of disease or pests.
3. Open burning shall only be permitted with prior approval from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA).  IEPA phone number:  217-782-2113.
4. Open burning shall be conducted by a qualified person(s). 
5. Open burning that will be offensive or objectionable because of smoke or odor emissions when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous shall be prohibited.  The Fire Inspector or the Commanding Fire Officer at the scene is authorized to order the extinguishment of the open burning which creates or adds to a hazardous or objectionable situation.
6. The location for open burning shall not be less than 50 feet from any structure, and provisions shall be made to prevent the fire from spreading to within 50 feet of any structure.
7. Submit the completed open burning permit information form.
8. Submit a detailed site plan to include distance to nearest structures.
9. Submit a copy of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency permit. 
10. Open burning shall be conducted only between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. during those months that Central Standard Time is in effect and 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. during those months Central Daylight Savings Time is in effect.
11. Applicable fee shall be submitted to this office with application.           
12. Person(s) conducting the open burn shall notify Gurnee Dispatch at 847-599-7000 the day of the burn prior to kindling a fire.