Leaf and Yard Waste Burning
O’Fallon, Illinois – Mayor Gary L. Graham and the O’Fallon Public Safety Department would like to remind residents that although this is the season where leaves and yard waste are sometimes disposed of by burning, O’Fallon Ordinance §131.08, passed in 1993, bans the burning of leaves and other yard wastes within O’Fallon City limits.
“The smoke generated by a large amount of simultaneous leaf fires can cause significant health problems. Leaf smoke can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat,” said Mayor Graham. “Leaf burning can also reduce visibility, create safety hazards, cause a nuisance, soil buildings and other property, and create additional demands on local police and fire protection.”
The O’Fallon Ordinance §131.08, passed in 1993, states that outdoor burning, within the corporate city limits, of leaves, vines, tree limbs, tree trunks, lawns, grass cuttings, shrubbery and all materials accumulated as a result of the care of lawns, shrubbery and trees is hereby banned and shall not be permitted at any time, except as follows: burning shall be allowed year-round on property zoned A-Agriculture, but only for waste generated on the premises, and as regulated by the current adopted addition of the International Code Council (ICC) Code, or as otherwise regulated by the City.
Mayor Graham, in his weekly column on September 28, 2015, shared multiple options for leaf and yard waste disposal other than burning. The column can be found at: http://www.ofallon.org/mayor-grahams-office/pages/092815-mayors-column-autumn-outdoor-tips.
For more information, please contact the City of O’Fallon Public Safety Department at 618.624.4545.