Des Plaines's Fence Regulations: The Rules That Matter
Every city handles fence regulations a little differently. In Des Plaines, Illinois, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.
Fence Permit Requirements
Des Plaines requires a building permit for any residential fence, applied for through the City's online Customer Self Service portal, with a current plat of survey showing the fence location, material, height, and gates; the permit fee is $50 and a final inspection is required when work is complete.
Key details: Permit required: Yes - building permit for residential fence. Apply: Online CSS portal, select 'Fence (Residential)'. Plat of survey: Current; show fence location, material, height, gates. Permit fee: $50 (invoiced after approval). Inspection: Final Inspection required (847-391-5382).
Building a residential fence without the required building permit violates the City's permit requirements and the adopted building codes. The Community and Economic Development Department can issue a stop-work order, require the unpermitted fence to be permitted or removed, assess fees and citations, and withhold final inspection approval until the work is brought into compliance.
Material Restrictions
Des Plaines requires the finished side of a fence to face out with posts on the owner's side, mandates that front-yard fences be 50% transparent, requires attached-home fences to match, and limits barbed-wire and electric fences to nonresidential districts by permit only under City Code 12-8-2.
Key details: Finished side: Must face out; posts on owner's side. Front-yard fence: Must be 50% transparent / open. Attached homes: Fences must match. Barbed wire / electric: Nonresidential only, by Zoning Administrator permit. Code Section: Des Plaines City Code 12-8-2.
Installing a fence with the finished side facing in, a solid (non-50%-open) front-yard fence, mismatched fencing on attached homes, or unpermitted barbed-wire or electric fencing violates Section 12-8-2 and the property maintenance code. The Community and Economic Development Department can require correction or removal, issue citations, and withhold final inspection approval until the fence complies.
Neighbor Fence Rules
Des Plaines requires fences to be installed entirely on the owner's property, with the finished or 'good' side facing outward toward neighboring lots and the public right-of-way. Boundary disputes are civil matters not enforced by the city.
Key details: Finished Side: Faces neighbor/street. Posts/Supports: On owner side. Neighbor Consent: Not required. Property Line: Confirm via survey. Disputes: Civil matter.
Fences with the structural side facing outward or installed across a property line may be required to be reversed, modified, or removed at owner expense. Code violations typically carry fines of $75 to $250.
Height Limits
Des Plaines caps residential fences at 4 feet in front and corner side yards and 6 feet in rear and interior side yards; double-frontage lots may run a 6-foot fence along an arterial street and lots abutting a railroad may build up to 8 feet, all under City Code Section 12-8-2.
Key details: Front and corner side yards: Max 4 ft (4'-0"). Rear and interior side yards: Max 6 ft (6'-0"). Double-frontage lot at arterial street: 6 ft along arterial frontage. Lot abutting railroad: Up to 8 ft. Code Section: Des Plaines City Code 12-8-2.
A fence exceeding the 4-foot front/corner or 6-foot rear/side limits is a zoning violation enforced by the Community and Economic Development Department. Each permit is issued individually, and any exception to the height limits may require a formal Variation; non-compliant fences can be ordered lowered or removed and may trigger citations and abatement.
The Bottom Line
Des Plaines'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 Des Plaines is broadly strict or permissive.
All of the above reflects Des Plaines's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.