Fence Regulations in Waukegan, IL

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

Material Restrictions

Barbed wire and electrically charged fences are flatly banned on every residential lot in Waukegan under Sec. 6-308; on non-residential lots the code enforcement board may approve them only at a height of seven feet or more, clearly identified as electrified.

Key details: Residential lots: Barbed wire/electric fences fully prohibited. Non-residential lots: Allowed only with code enforcement board approval. Minimum height if approved: 7 feet. Electric fence marking: Must be clearly identified as electrically charged.

Erecting barbed wire or an electrically charged fence on a residential lot, or an unapproved or under-height version on a non-residential lot, is a violation of Article X punishable under Sec. 6-313's incorporation of Sec. 1-13: a fine of $25.00 to $750.00 upon conviction, with each day of the violation a separate offense.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Waukegan actively enforces its material restrictions requirements.

Height Limits

Waukegan caps residential fences at 4 feet in front and corner side yards and 6 feet in interior side and rear yards under UDO Section 9.03.C.17. Non-residential districts allow taller fences, up to 8 feet in the rear yard.

Key details: Front/corner yard max (residential): 4 ft. Interior side/rear max (residential): 6 ft. Rear yard max (non-residential districts): 8 ft. Lakefront (L1-L3) fences: Ornamental, 50% transparent. Barbed/razor/electric wire: Banned in residential districts.

A fence exceeding the district height cap, built of barbed wire, electrified wire, or razor wire in a residential district, or encroaching onto a neighboring lot violates Section 9.03.C.17 and requires a fence permit under Table 9.03-1. The City can order removal or modification of a nonconforming fence through code enforcement.

Fence Permit Requirements

No fence or planting screen may go up in Waukegan without a fence permit from the building department under Sec. 6-301, and the application must include a property survey plus a detailed drawing of the fence's height and construction.

Key details: Permit issuer: City building department. Required with application: Property survey and fence drawing/specs. Fee basis: Council-adopted fee schedule (Sec. 6-302). Appeals/variances body: Code enforcement board. Governing article: Waukegan Fence Ordinance, Art. X.

Building a fence without the required permit, or violating any provision of Article X, is punishable on conviction under Sec. 1-13's general penalty of $25.00 to $750.00, with each day of the violation counted as a separate offense (Sec. 6-313).

The Bottom Line

Waukegan'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 Waukegan is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Waukegan'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.