Fence Regulations in Springfield, IL (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Springfield, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Springfield caps fences in a required front yard at 4 feet (and they must be at least 50% open), limits residential fences to 6 feet overall, and allows up to 8 feet in commercial and industrial districts. Recreational fences (tennis, baseball backstops, etc.) may be taller with a permit.
4 ft front yard, 6 ft residential, 8 ft commercial
Some RestrictionsSpringfield, IL Code of Ordinances Sec. 155.069(a)(1), (a)(3) & (b)(3) (Ord. No. 411A-07-01, 07-24-01)
(a) Requirements in residential districts. No fence may be erected within the city and within a residential district, which does not comply with the following specifications: (1) Any fence erected in a required front yard shall be at least 50% open, and no fence erected in a required front yard may exceed four feet in height measured from ground level. A clearance of three inches shall be allow...
Fence Permit Requirements
Any fence over four feet tall in a residential, commercial, or industrial district requires a fence permit from the Office of the Zoning Administrator (Building & Zoning Department), at a cost based on the standard building permit fee. No work may start until the permit is issued, and the permit becomes void one year after issuance if the fence is not completed.
Permit required for any fence over 4 feet
Some RestrictionsSpringfield, IL Code of Ordinances Sec. 155.069(c) (Ord. No. 411A-07-01, 07-24-01)
(c) Permits. (1) No fence which exceeds four feet in height may be erected within any residential, commercial, or industrial district unless a fence permit is obtained from the office of the zoning administrator at a cost based on the standard building permit fee. The individual or agency actually constructing the fence shall be responsible for obtaining the permit. No work shall start until th...
Retaining Walls
Springfield doesn't require a building permit for a retaining wall under 30 inches tall. Sec. 170.10.22(a)(4) exempts retaining walls measured from the lower grade unless the wall supports a surcharge or impounds flammable liquids, in which case a permit and engineering review are required regardless of height.
Springfield Retaining Wall Permit Threshold: 30 Inches
Some RestrictionsSpringfield, IL Code of Ordinances Sec. 170.10.22(a)(4) (Ord. No. 826-12-06, § 1(Exh. A), 12-19-06; Ord. No. 131-4-11, § 1, 4-6-11)
(a)A building permit shall not be required for the following:...(4)Retaining walls which are not over 30 inches in height measured from the lowest elevation on either side of a retaining wall unless supporting a surcharge or impounding flammable liquids.
Material Restrictions
Springfield prohibits barbed wire, metal spikes, and other sharp materials on residential fences and bans electrified fences citywide. Chain-link fences must be installed knuckle-up with the barb at or near the ground. Commercial and industrial B-1, B-2, I-1 and I-2 districts may use sharp materials only above six feet.
No barbed wire/spikes residential; no electrified fences
Heavy RestrictionsSpringfield, IL Code of Ordinances Sec. 155.069(a)(4) & (b)(4)-(5) (Ord. No. 411A-07-01, 07-24-01)
(a)(4) No fence may be constructed with barbed wire, metal spikes, or any other sharp pointed materials. All chain link fences shall be installed with the knuckle portion of the fence up and with the barb portion of the fence at or near the ground. No fence may be electrified. ... (b)(4) Fences located in the B-1, B-2, I-1 and I-2 districts may be constructed with barbed wire, metal spikes, or ...
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