Main Office
69 W Washington Street Room 1900
Chicago, IL 60602
Email:
burnpermit@cookcountyil.gov
Telephone:
(312) 603-8200
Fax:
(312) 603-9828
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Tuesday: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Wednesday: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Thursday: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Friday: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Saturday: Closed
Location and Contact Information Hide

Cook County government requires open burning permits in suburban and unincorporated Cook County to protect life, property and prevent forest fires and false fire alarms. The regulations stipulate the conditions under which open burning may occur. Open burning permits also give authorities prior notice to any burn.

Open burning permits are required, but not limited to the following burning situations:

  •     Prairie Burn
  •     Pan Fire Training
  •     Sectional Building Fires (for training purposes)
  •     Landscape Waste
  •     Air Curtain Incinerator for Landscape Waste

Note: The above list does not cover all burning situations in which an open burning permit is required. For the complete list of the criteria for legal and illegal open burning, please refer to the Cook County Ordinance, or call this office (312)603-8200.


As of December 1, 2017, the Cook County Department of Environmental Control is now the Department of Environment and Sustainability.