Chicagoland – Fence Codes and Rules in Major Chicago Suburbs
The greater Chicago metro area, often called Chicagoland, has a population of almost 10 million. It is the third largest metropolitan area in the United States, and is home to a diversified economic base that creates a Gross Regional Product (GRP) of more than $560 billion. Housing in this area is extremely varied, but single-family homes make up an enormous segment both in Chicago and in the many suburbs that are home to families of all income ranges. Owners of those homes and real estate investors who own rental properties have a strong interest in maintaining and increasing the value of their investments. Home improvement projects, including fences, drive a strong economy of contractors and building supply businesses.
Each community in Chicagoland has its own unique makeup and attitudes toward its neighborhoods. Because of that, regulations, ordinances and codes relating to residential fences vary widely. The Building or Community Development departments of every city have established rules and specifications for building projects that are in keeping with the desires of each community. It can be difficult, though, for homeowners to discover what those rules are. Often, they are buried in city ordinances and can be difficult to find. Here, you will find the codes and regulations for each city into a standard format that is easy to understand. The building codes information for every suburb of Chicago with a population over 50,000 is listed here.
County-by-County Fence Codes and Rules in Chicagoland
- Cook County – As the most populous county in Illinois, it contains Chicago and most close-in suburbs. Find details about the codes, ordinances and regulations for residential fences in each city: Arlington Heights, Chicago, Cicero, Berwyn, Des Plaines, Elgin, Evanston, Mount Prospect, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, Orland Park, Palatine, Schaumburg, Skokie and Tinley Park.
- Alsip Village
- Arlington Heights
- Bartlett Village
- Bellwood Village
- Berwyn
- Blue Island
- Bridgeview Village
- Brookfield Village
- Buffalo Grove Village
- Burbank
- Calumet City
- Chicago
- Chicago Heights
- Chicago Ridge
- Cicero
- Country Club Hills
- Crestwood Village
- Des Plaines
- Dolton Village
- Elgin
- Elk Grove Village
- Elmwood Park Village
- Evanston
- Evergreen Park Village
- Forest Park Village
- Franklin Park Village
- Glenview Village
- Hanover Park Village
- Harvey
- Hazel Crest Village
- Hickory Hills
- Homewood Village
- Justice Village
- LaGrange Village
- Lansing Village
- Lemont Village
- Lincolnwood Village
- Lyons Village
- Markham
- Matteson Village
- Maywood Village
- Melrose Park Village
- Midlothian Village
- Morton Grove Village
- Mount Prospect
- Niles Village
- Norridge Village
- Northbrook Village
- Northlake
- Oak Forest
- Oak Lawn
- Oak Park
- Orland Park
- Palatine
- Palos Heights
- Palos Hills
- Park Forest Village
- Park Ridge
- Prospect Heights
- Richton Park Village
- Riverdale Village
- River Forest Village
- River Grove Village
- Rolling Meadows
- Sauk Village Village
- Schaumburg
- Schiller Park Village
- South Holland Village
- Skokie
- Streamwood Village
- Summit Village
- Tinley Park Village
- Westchester Village
- Western Springs Village
- Wheeling Village
- Wilmette Village
- Winnetka Village
- Worth Village
- DuPage County – Located west of Chicago, this densely populated county is a popular location for people who commute into the city for work, entertainment, and recreation. Its two major cities have their own unique rules for residential fence projects: Naperville and Wheaton.
- Kane County – Situated just to the west of DuPage County, its largest city is Aurora, with a population of almost 200,000. Homeowners in Aurora who are planning to install a fence need to be aware of the regulations for such projects during the planning and construction phases. Aurora.
- Lake County – North of Chicago and with Wisconsin on its northern border, Lake County is home to Waukegan, a suburban community of almost 90,000 residents. With a substantial shoreline on Lake Michigan, it is an important residential area for Chicago commuters. Waukegan.
- Will County – The southernmost county adjacent to Cook County, Will County holds roughly 677,000 residents, many of whom commute to or do business in Chicago. Its two major cities are thriving communities: Bolingbrook and Joliet.
- Indiana Suburbs of Chicago – Two communities in Indiana are considered to be outer suburbs of Chicago. Both have economic challenges, but attract homeowners and real estate investors with bargain-priced homes, most of which need upgrades and rehabilitation. Gary and Hammond.
- Wisconsin Suburbs of Chicago – Chicagoland also includes one city across the border in Wisconsin. With the only Metra station outside of Illinois, commuting is a common need for residents. A graceful lifestyle and an affordable range of housing prices attract residents. Kenosha.
Fence Codes and Regulations Are Always Subject to Change
Here, you’ll find information about each city, along with an easy-to-understand listing of current regulations, ordinances and codes regarding residential fences. You can use these as guidelines when planning your project and when discussing your ideas with contractors. This website is based on careful research into each city’s ordinances and rules and represents current information as accurately as possible. However, building codes and city ordinances change from time to time. Since you’ll need a building permit from your own city, check with your local building authority to make sure you have the current rules that apply to your plans. You’ll find telephone numbers and links for each Building Department’s website on each city’s page on this website.