Fence Regulations in Arlington Heights, IL

If you live in Arlington Heights or are thinking about moving there, fence regulations are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Arlington Heights has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of fence regulations, and some of them might surprise you.

Material Restrictions

Arlington Heights bans barbed wire fencing outright and prohibits slatted chain link fencing anywhere in the Village except between business properties or around dumpsters in the M-1 and M-2 manufacturing districts. Municipal Code Section 28-6.13-2 also requires metal fences to be at least nine-gauge woven wire, finished side facing the neighbor, and posts set in tamped earth or concrete.

Key details: Barbed wire: Prohibited village-wide, § 28-6.13-2.a. Slatted chain link: Prohibited except limited M-1/M-2 use. Metal fence gauge: Minimum 9-gauge woven wire. Post embedment: Tamped earth or concrete. Orientation: Finished side faces neighboring property.

A fence built with prohibited materials cannot receive the Section 28-6.13-1 permit in the first place, since the Director of Building may issue a permit only for a fence that complies with the Code. Section 28-6.13-5 gives the Director continuing authority after installation, too: any fence, including one erected with noncompliant materials, that becomes "a hazard to public safety or to the free flow of traffic" can be ordered removed.

Height Limits

Arlington Heights, Illinois fences top out at 36 inches in the front yard and six feet in side and rear yards, per Municipal Code Section 6.13-3. Corner lots get extra rules protecting sightlines: fences within 12 feet of intersecting property lines at streets, walks, driveways or bike paths cannot exceed 36 inches and must be open, not solid.

Key details: Front yard height cap: 36 inches, open fence only. Side/rear yard height cap: Six feet, solid allowed. Corner lot street-frontage yard: Solid fence 5+ feet from perimeter. Visibility triangle: 36 inches within 12 feet of intersections. Landscaping pairing: 3-foot hedge, 48 inches on center.

A fence built taller than these limits, or a solid fence placed where only an open fence is allowed near an intersection, is a Zoning Code violation the Director of Building can require be corrected or removed. Because Section 6.13-1 conditions the underlying permit on Code compliance, an oversized or sight-obstructing fence can also be grounds to deny or revoke that permit.

Fence Permit Requirements

In Arlington Heights, Illinois, no fence may go up without a permit from the Director of Building. The Village Code makes clear the Director grants the permit only when the fence meets the Zoning Code's material, height and location standards and is built in a structurally sound manner, so plans should match Chapter 28 before you dig a post hole.

Key details: Permit issuer: Director of Building. Barbed wire: Prohibited village-wide. Chain link: Slatted chain link prohibited. Metal fence gauge: Nine gauge woven wire minimum. M-1/M-2 exception: Slatted fence allowed to enclose dumpsters.

Erecting a fence without first securing the Director of Building's permit is a Code violation subject to Village enforcement. Separately, under Section 6.13-5 the Director of Building may order any fence removed, permitted or not, if it becomes a hazard to public safety or obstructs the free flow of traffic. Noncompliant materials such as barbed wire or slatted chain link can also trigger a removal order even after installation.

The Bottom Line

Arlington Heights's fence regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Arlington Heights is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Arlington Heights's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.