Illinois burn permit information for homeowners

Burns on private property now require each homeowner to complete and submit an individual IEPA permit package. Each homeowner is responsible for sending their own package. This is the required process for burns on private property.

If you want to burn your native areas this fall, aim for the IEPA to receive the completed application by Labor Day or shortly after.

The IEPA staff in Springfield is small and receives applications from across the state as burn season approaches. Expect the permit to arrive by U.S. mail in roughly four to six weeks, depending on statewide volume.

Complete the blank items in these parts of the IEPA open burning permit application:

• Section 1, general information
• Section 2, site information on the burn location
• Section 3, maps
• Section 15, authorized signature

Section 15 may be signed electronically in a PDF program such as Adobe, or hand signed and scanned. Both a scanned signature and a verified electronic signature are acceptable.

If you scan the application, you may include the two maps required in Section 3 in the same file. Sign the application: an unsigned one is rejected automatically and returned by mail.

The IEPA needs maps that clearly show the burn site and nearby features. For a single homeowner property, any of these work.

• Google Maps. Type in your address and switch to satellite imagery. Probably the easiest option: you can zoom in and print an image that already carries street labels.
• Google Earth. Zoom in until planting beds are visible, then either print and circle the areas to be burned, or mark them with the path or polygon tool and print. If tree canopy hides the planting areas, use historical imagery to pick a spring or autumn view.
• Lake County Maps Online. Type in your address, choose from the aerial tools and image options, print, and circle the burn areas.
• Plat of survey. Print your plat and hand draw the burn zones on it. The IEPA accepts a sketch.

Email is the quickest way to send the form and the maps.

• To: EPA.BOA.OpenBurning@illinois.gov
• Copy: timothy.kelley@illinois.gov and eubanksinc@gmail.com

Copying the Prairie Crossing environmental manager lets David Eubanks check that everything is in order and that the files open. U.S. mail also works if you prefer it.

Send the permit to the environmental manager at eubanksinc@gmail.com. A permit must be in hand before any burn can go ahead.

Submit your notice of intent to burn by 9:00 AM wherever possible, so the association and the fire department both have it before you light.