Fence Regulations in Aurora, IL

If you live in Aurora or are thinking about moving there, fence regulations are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Aurora has 5 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of fence regulations, and some of them might surprise you.

Retaining Walls

Aurora requires retaining walls to stay structurally sound; failing walls over 30 inches tall, or carrying vehicle-load surcharge on the high side, need a permit and a licensed engineer's design to repair or replace.

Key details: Baseline duty: Wall must stay structurally sound. Permit trigger: Failing wall over 30 inches. Also triggers permit: Vehicle-surcharge on high side. Design: Licensed design professional required. Scope: Applies citywide, all 4 counties.

An unsound wall is itself a property maintenance violation; repairing or replacing a failing wall over 30 inches without a permit is a separate violation.

Material Restrictions

Aurora's zoning code sets approved fence materials by classification, masonry, ornamental iron, chain link, wood picket, bans wire mesh and barbed wire, and requires uniform construction.

Key details: Wire mesh: Prohibited as primary fence. Barbed wire: Banned citywide on streets/alleys. Wood fences: Pressure-treated or decay-resistant. Chain link: Top rail required.

Installing a fence made of a prohibited material, wire mesh as a primary fence, barbed wire outside the approved industrial exception, or tarp coverings, is a zoning violation subject to a compliance order and removal.

Fence Permit Requirements

Aurora requires a fence permit before any fence is built, rebuilt, enlarged, or structurally altered in every zoning district citywide, on residential and commercial property alike.

Key details: Permit required: Before any fence work. Applies to: All zoning districts citywide. Covers: New, rebuilt, or altered fences. Storage-area fences: Extra landscaping standards apply.

Building or altering a fence without a permit is a zoning violation; the city can order the fence removed or brought into compliance and cite the property owner.

Height Limits

Aurora limits residential front-yard fences to 3-4 feet, side yards to 4-6 feet by lot width, rear yards to 6 feet, and caps corner sight-triangle fences at 3 feet.

Key details: Front yard height: 3 ft solid, 4 ft open. Interior side yard: 4-6 ft by lot width. Rear yard height: 6 feet maximum. Corner sight triangle: 3 ft within 15 feet. Non-residential fence: 6 ft, 8 ft screening.

Erecting a fence over the height limit for its yard type, or blocking a required corner sight triangle, is a zoning violation subject to a compliance order and fence modification or removal.

Neighbor Fence Rules

Aurora requires the finished side of fences to face outward toward neighbors. Illinois has no residential fence cost-sharing law. Each property owner is responsible for their own fence. The agricultural boundary line fence law (765 ILCS 130) does not apply to residential areas.

Key details: Finished Side: Must face neighbor. Cost Sharing: No IL law requires it. Property Line: Fence must be within yours. IL Fence Law: 765 ILCS 130 (ag only).

Fence on wrong property: removal required. Finished side facing inward: code violation and modification order.

The Bottom Line

Aurora'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 Aurora is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Aurora can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.