Fence Regulations in Des Plaines, IL (2026)
7 verified fence regulations for Des Plaines, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
4 ft front/corner; 6 ft rear/side; 8 ft at railroad
Some RestrictionsCity of Des Plaines, Community and Economic Development, 'Residential Fences' handout (summarizing Zoning Ordinance Section 12-8-2)
Fence Height: 1. Front and Corner Side Yards: Maximum 4'-0" in height. 2. Rear and Interior Side Yards: Maximum 6'-0" in height. 3. Double frontage lots that abut an arterial street may install a 6 feet tall fence along the property line that faces the arterial street. 4. Fences that abut a railroad track may be up to 8 feet tall. Fence Design: 5. Front yard fences must be 50% transparent open.
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.
Building permit required; $50 fee; plat of survey
Some RestrictionsCity of Des Plaines, Community and Economic Development, Form CED|BCE 0428-A, 'Permit & Inspection Guidelines: Residential Fences'
A building permit is required for a residential fences. This permit covers construction related to fences on residential properties. ... Plat of Survey: Upload a Plat of Survey with the location of the proposed fence clearly marked. Also indicate the fencing material, height, and location of any gates to be installed. ... Fees: A permit fee for a fence is $50. ... Required Inspections: Final In...
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.
Des Plaines Fence Neighbor and Property Line Rules
Some Restrictions765 ILCS 130 - Illinois Fence Act
When 2 or more persons have lands adjoining, each of them shall make and maintain a just proportion of the division fence between them, and if such fence shall be a hedge fence, then the owner or owners of such hedge fence shall, during the year after such hedge has attained the age of 7 years, cut back or trim such hedge fence to a height not to exceed 4 feet, and shall at least once in every ...
Retaining Walls
Des Plaines requires a building permit for retaining walls, with engineered designs typically required for walls over 4 feet in height as required by the International Residential Code adopted by the city. Walls must comply with drainage and easement requirements.
Des Plaines Retaining Wall Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsPool Barriers
Des Plaines requires all swimming pools deeper than 24 inches to be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates, in compliance with the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code and Illinois Department of Public Health rules.
Des Plaines Pool Barrier and Fence Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsFence Requirements
Des Plaines fence regulations limit residential fences to 6 feet in side and rear yards and 4 feet in front yards. Fences on corner lots must comply with sight-triangle rules to maintain visibility for drivers.
Des Plaines Fence Setback and Location Requirements
Some RestrictionsMaterial 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.
Finished side out; front fence 50% open; wire limited
Some RestrictionsCity of Des Plaines, Community and Economic Development, 'Residential Fences' handout (summarizing Zoning Ordinance Section 12-8-2)
Fence Design: 5. Front yard fences must be 50% transparent open. 6. The "finished" side of the fence shall face out. Fence posts shall face the owner's side of the fence. 7. Fences that enclose a yard shall include at least one gate. 8. Fences of attached homes shall match.
Looking for Cook County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Des Plaines city rules.
Fence Regulations in Cook County →