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404.2	AN ORDINANCE REGULATING FIRES IN THE VILLAGE OF JEROME, ILLINOIS.
404.2-1	No person shall burn trash, rubbish, papers or garbage, or general household waste or commercial waste, or construction or demolition debris within the corporate limits of the Village of Jerome. (6-2-94, 1-18-01, 7-21-05)
404.2-2	Recreational fires are prohibited within the corporate limits of the Village except as provided in this section. a) During the months of April 1st through November 30th, recreational fires built in a fire pit or fire ring are permitted subject to the restrictions contained in this section. A fire ring shall be constructed of rocks or other similar non-combustible materials. b) During all times of the year, recreational fires built in a commercially manufactured or homemade wood-burning appliance or portable fireplace unit are permitted subject to the restrictions contained in this section. c) Every recreational fire must be only of dry, seasoned wood logs and be extinguished by 11:00 p.m. on weeknights or 11:59 p.m. on Friday and Saturday night. d) A person at least 18 years of age must be present at all times. e) A charged water hose must be placed within 15 feet of the fire and all coals and ashes must be completely extinguished before leaving the area. f) A written permit for fires built in a fire pit, fire ring or homemade wood-burning unit must be obtained from the Trustee for Public Health at least one week in advance of any recreational fire. The owner of the property must sign the permit. In the case of rental properties, the owner must give permission before the application can be approved. g) The Trustee shall inspect the area prior to the issuance of a permit. The permit is good for the period of times identified in subsections (a). For each subsequent fire after the first, the resident shall call the Village office or Public Health Trustee to report any additional dates that they will be having a fire. h) Fuel for all recreational fire shall consist of seasoned, dry firewood and shall be ignited with paper or kindling. No flammable or combustible liquids shall be used to kindle or rekindle a fire. The fire must be completely extinguished prior to leaving the area unattended. i) No fire shall be ignited when winds are in excess of 15 miles per hour. (6-2-94, 8-1-02, 7-21-05)
404.2-3	The burning of landscape waste is prohibited within the corporate limits of the Village except as provided in this section. a) “Landscape waste” is defined as all accumulations of grass or shrubbery cuttings, leaves, and tree limbs. b) The burning of landscape waste is permitted on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from March 15 to May 15 during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to the time of sunset for the date in question published in the Illinois State Journal-Register and from September 15 to December 15 during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to the time of sunset for the date in question published in the Illinois State Journal-Register. Every fire must be completely extinguished and smoke free at the time of sunset for the date in question published in the Illinois State Journal-Register. No fire may be permitted to smolder unattended or after the end time for burning in the Village. c) All landscape waste to be burned shall be non-green and dry to the touch. No flammable or combustible liquids shall be used to kindle or rekindle a fire. d) No burning of landscape waste is permitted when the wind velocity is in excess of 15 mph. If, while burning, the wind velocity exceeds 15 mph, all burning shall be extinguished immediately. e) The burning of landscape waste must be personally supervised at all times by a person at least 18 years of age. f) Persons burning landscape waste shall do so with due regard for the safety of others and shall take appropriate precautions to insure that the fire is contained at all times. g) A charged water hose must be placed within 15 feet of the fire and all coals and ashes must be completely extinguished before leaving the area. h) No burning of landscape waste is permitted on Halloween, Thanksgiving Day the day after Thanksgiving, or Veterans Day. i) No burning of landscape waste is permitted within 20 feet of any adjoining property owner or renter’s vehicle. j) No burning of landscape waste is permitted within 10 feet of any adjoining property owner or renter’s improved structure. “Improved structure” includes but is not limited to, houses, buildings, garages, fences, carports, sheds, gazebos and decks. k) No burning of landscape waste is permitted within 10 feet of any adjacent property owner or renter’s tree or bush. l) No burning of landscape waste is permitted within 5 feet of the paved portion of any street. A paved street includes all public right of ways designed for motor vehicle use with surfaces composed of oil and rock, asphalt, asphalt and rock, or concrete. If a property owner or renter’s ditch is within 5 feet of the public right of ways, then the property owner or renter may not burn in the ditch. Further, if a property owner or renter’s ditch sits back further than 5 feet and the property owner or renter does burn in the ditch, the property owner or renter must immediately clean the ditch of all remains of the items burned once the burning is complete and the fire is extinguished. m) No burning of landscape waste is permitted except for that landscape waste which was generated on the zoning lot where the burning occurs. m) This Ordinance does not prohibit or regulate outdoor grills, whether charcoal, natural gas, or propane. No person shall burn landscape waste or any other material in a burn barrel, incinerator or other receptacle, except as otherwise permitted by Ordinance. n) Any fire, which in the opinion of the village officials responsible for enforcement of this ordinance, generates excessive smoke, shall be extinguished immediately upon the notice by the village official. o) Due to regulations regarding storm water, no fires are permitted within 20 feet of the Jacksonville Branch creek. p) Any fire which continues after weather conditions have changed so that it is no longer appropriate for burning, including but not limited to when conditions are dry such that there is a potential fire hazard and/or conditions threaten the safety of others shall be extinguished promptly by the person or persons starting or tending the fire. (1-18-01, 7-21-05)
404.2-3a	Deleted language and consolidated into 404.2-3 (8-1-02, 7-21-05)
404.2-4	The village officials shall have authority to enter unto the property of any person or firm and take such steps, as they deem necessary to extinguish any fire, which exists in violation of this ordinance. The Jerome Police Department is charged with the responsibility of monitoring and enforcing this Ordinance. The Police Department may order the extinguishment of any fire, which, in the opinion of the officer on duty, violates this Ordinance. (7-21-05)
404.2-5	In the absence of any evidence to the contrary, the owner of the property on which a fire is located in violation of this ordinance shall be presumed to be responsible for such fire.
404.2-6	Any violator of this ordinance shall be subject to fine or penalty in the sum of $50.00 for the first violation hereof, $150.00 for the second violation hereof, and $300.00 for the third and any subsequent violation hereof. In addition to such fine or penalty, any person violating the provisions of this ordinance shall also be required to pay the cost of any other expenses incurred by the Village of Jerome. The Trustee for Public Health shall be authorized to issue a warning notice to a person in violation of this Ordinance if, in the discretion of the Trustee, the offense in question was a first time violation of the Ordinance, there was no injury to person, there was no damage to property, and the safety of others was not jeopardized. (1-18-01, 7-21-05)
404.2-7	This ordinance shall be in effect from and after its adoption, approval and publication according to law. (8-18-55, 8-1-02, 7-21-05)