Fence Codes and Building Regulations in the Chicago, IL Area

Chicago area homeowners and real estate investors are always looking for ways to upgrade their properties. Home improvements are a great way to add value and enhance your enjoyment of your home. Fences are some of the most popular upgrade and rehab projects for homes. They’re very affordable, can be installed quickly and immediately enhance any home’s value, curb appeal, security, safety and privacy. It’s no wonder that creating a brand new yard enclosure or decorative border on residential lots is one of the first projects considered by homeowners. As with most projects, though, there are strict rules, ordinances and codes for fences within every community. Before you can begin planning, you need information so you can make the right choices.

Finding the rules and codes for Chicago and its many suburbs, though, can be difficult. Searching online doesn’t immediately find the information you need about materials, styles, heights, and other crucial issues. Do you need a building permit? Can you build the fence where you want it? How tall can it be? It can take a lot of hard research to get answers to those and other questions. That’s why this website was created. Here, you’ll find all of those answers and more for Chicago and every nearby and outer suburb with a population over 50,000. We’ve put every crucial answer into an easy-to-access format for quick reference. In just minutes, you’ll have accurate, complete facts so you can begin the planning process for your project. The information below and at the links will lead directly to relevant details about rules in your community.

• Fence Codes and Rules Exist for Many Good Reasons and Vary in Each City

  While building a new fence or replacing an old one seems to be simple, the truth is that Chicago and every surrounding suburb have different ordinances. All of them are designed to ensure than only attractive, safe, and appropriate fences are built. Different communities, of course, have different standards, just as they have different populations and neighborhoods. What are the specific rules in your community? Our individual pages for each city give you detailed information in a simple straightforward format.

• Fence Regulations in the City of Chicago Are Unique, but Can Be Confusing

  With over 2.7 million people living in dozens of unique neighborhoods, you might expect that Chicago would have detailed rules and codes for fences. Oddly enough, though, it has some of the most flexible and fence codes in the region. Unlike almost every other city in Chicagoland, fences under 5′ in height don’t even require a building permit in the city of Chicago. Homeowners are expected to design and built fences that fit into individual neighborhoods, though, and many neighborhoods and subdivisions have their own specific rules.

• Chicago Suburban Cities Have Their Own Unique Fence Codes

  You’ll find links to individual pages for each city with a population over 50,000 in all of the counties that make up Chicagoland. That includes Cook County, which includes Chicago and most close-in suburban cities, along with major suburbs in other nearby Illinois counties, and even close-by suburbs in Indiana and Wisconsin. Get the details you need to plan your installation in your city. We make it easy for you, so you can avoid the difficult process of searching for the answers and trying to find details on multiple websites.

• General Information You Need to Know When Installing a Fence

  To make this website even more useful for Chicago metro area homeowners and rental property owners, we’ve created pages designed to help you think about your new fence and understand the decisions you’ll be making.

  • Residential Fence Styles and Materials – There have never been more different materials and designs available for fence building. Our guide to styles and products will give you ideas for your project.
  • How Much Does a Fence Cost? – There’s no simple answer, but this page will show you all of the factors that go into the total cost of every fence project, whether it’s a DIY project or contractor-built.
  • DIY Fence Installation Vs. Professional Fences – It’s tempting to save money by completing the installation yourself, but should you do it yourself? This guide will help you make an informed decision.
  • How to Choose a Contractor? – While some skilled homeowners install their own fences, most Chicago area home and property owners hire a contractor. Here’s a guide to help you choose an ideal builder.
  • Why You Should Consult with Neighbors – Every fence in a residential development or subdivision also has an impact on neighboring homes. Here’s how getting your neighbors involved can save money and prevent disputes.
  • Frequently Asked Questions about Fences – As you use this website, you’ll have questions like: What is a plat of survey? Who do I call about building permits? What is an “open fence?” Get plain English answers here.

Your One-Stop Source for Information about Fences – Chicago, IL

We’ve built a number of websites about fence projects in the past, and want to help Chicago area property owners have quick access to accurate, objective information when planning their fences. You may encounter ads on these pages from building contractors who specialize in building fences in your community. We accept advertising to help defray the costs involved with informative sites like this one. We encourage you to evaluate and compare contractors carefully before hiring one for your project. Ads on this website do not necessarily represent recommendations by us for the businesses placing those advertisements. We hope the information provided here helps you in your quest for facts about fence codes, rules, ordinances and regulations.

Cities in Chicagoland May Change Fence Codes

The pages on this website that describe fence codes and regulations for various cities are based on regulations published by each city. Since those rules, like all city ordinances, can be changed at any time, you should check with your city’s building department to make sure your fence project is in compliance with current codes. When you contact local contractors for supplies or installation, they can assist you with the current rules for your city. Our website is only designed to be a guide to help you with planning your project.