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 MC §12-8-2 allows rear yard fences up to 6 feet. Adjacent to railroad right-of-way allows up to 8 feet solid. Corner lots and arterial streets have specific rules. Permit required.
Des Plaines Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsPermit Requirements
Des Plaines City Code requires a building permit for any fence installation, replacement, or alteration regardless of height. Applications are submitted to Community and Economic Development with a site plan showing fence location, height, and material.
Des Plaines Fence Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsNeighbor 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 fence regulations prohibit barbed wire, electrified fencing, and razor wire in residential districts. Approved materials include wood, vinyl, decorative metal, and chain link, with some restrictions on chain link in front yards.
Des Plaines Fence Material Restrictions
Some RestrictionsLooking for Cook County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Des Plaines city rules.
Fence Regulations in Cook County →