Fence Regulations in DuPage County, IL (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in DuPage County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
In unincorporated DuPage County, residential fences may rise to 4 feet 6 inches in the front yard (and must be at least 50% open) and to 6 feet 6 inches in side and rear yards. The finished side must face outward, fences must be set back at least 3 inches from all property lines, and a county fence permit is required before installation.
DuPage County Fence Height Limits (Sec. 37-407)
Heavy RestrictionsDuPage County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 37-407
Front yard: up to 4 ft 6 in. All other yards: up to 6 ft 6 in. Finished side must face outward toward adjacent property or road. Setback of at least 3 inches from all property lines. Front yard fences must be at least 50% open; other yards may be fully enclosed. Plat of Survey and Construction Plan required with application.
Fence Permit Requirements
Every fence and wall in unincorporated DuPage County needs a permit before it goes up. Section 37-407.1(C) of the zoning ordinance requires the issuance of a permit prior to erection or construction of any fence or wall, in every zoning district, with no exemption for low front-yard fences or replacement fences.
DuPage County Fence & Wall Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsDuPage County Zoning Ordinance § 37-407.1(C)
C.All fences and walls shall require the issuance of a permit, prior to their erection or construction.
Neighbor Fence Rules
Property owners in unincorporated DuPage County share responsibility for division fences on their common boundary under the Illinois Fence Act (765 ILCS 130). Each adjoining owner pays an equitable share of construction and maintenance unless they agree otherwise in writing. Township fence viewers, or, in DuPage, the appropriate county process, resolve disputes over cost, repair, and proportions. The County's Zoning §37-407 still controls height, setbacks, and orientation locally.
DuPage County Neighbor Fence Cost-Sharing (Illinois Fence Act)
Some Restrictions765 ILCS 130/3 and 130/11 (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. If any person who is liable to contribute to the erection or reparation of a division fence shall neglect or refuse to make and maintain his or her proportion thereof, the adjacent owner may recover damages and the cost of repairs.
Retaining Walls
DuPage County requires grading plans to show retaining wall elevations, and any wall 24 inches or taller needs a licensed Illinois architect or structural engineer's certification.
DuPage County Retaining Wall Engineering Rule
Some RestrictionsDuPage County Code § 8-128.2(A)(17)
Top and bottom elevations of the proposed retaining wall, along with a cross-section detail for the proposed design. Walls twenty-four inches (24") or more in height require the certification of a registered Illinois Architect or Structural Engineer. Manufacturer's specification sheets are required for walls that are pre-engineered (e.g. pre-cast inter-locking wall system, etc.). Depending on t...
Material Restrictions
Unincorporated DuPage County's zoning ordinance bans any fence carrying an electrical charge strong enough to shock, in every zoning district, no exceptions. Barbed wire is off-limits on residential fences entirely; it is permitted only atop fences built for industrial uses or public utility and service conditional uses, and even then it is capped at three strands starting at least eight feet up, angled outward from the property line.
DuPage County Bans Electric, Curbs Barbed Wire
Significant RestrictionsDuPage County Zoning Ordinance § 37-407.1(F)-(G)
F.Fences shall not have an electrical charge sufficient to cause a shock.G.Fences for industrial uses and public utility and service conditional uses may have barbed wire on the top provided that they satisfy the following conditions:1.No more than three (3) strands of barbed wire shall be used.2.The lowest strand of barbed wire shall have a fence height of not less than eight feet (8′).3.The v...
Fence Regulations by City in DuPage County
1 cities in DuPage County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All DuPage County ordinances
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