4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in DuPage County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
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 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.
In unincorporated DuPage County, the Building & Zoning Department requires a permit before installing any fence on single-family property under Zoning Ordinance Section 37-407. Applications are submitted through the Accela Citizen Access portal with a Plat of Survey, construction plan, contractor registration, and (when applicable) a Drainage Easement Agreement and Entrance Permit. No work may commence prior to permit issuance.
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.
765 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.
DuPage County Zoning Ordinance §37-407 regulates fence construction on single-family lots in unincorporated areas by yard location. Front-yard fences must be at least 50% open (no solid front-yard fencing) and capped at 4'6". Side and rear fences may be 100% solid and up to 6'6". The finished (good) side must face outward, all fences must sit at least 3" from property lines, and fence sections in drainage easements must be 3"–4" above existing grade so neighbor drainage is not impaired.
1 cities in DuPage County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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