Fence Regulations in Madison County, IL (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Madison County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Countywide, unincorporated Madison County caps fences at 6 feet under Zoning Code § 93.080(E), drops that to 4 feet and 50% open in front yards, and bars anything over 2 feet tall inside the corner-lot visibility triangle under § 93.080(B).
Madison County Fence Height & Visibility Rules
Some RestrictionsMadison County Code § 93.080(B), (E)
(B) Visibility. For the purpose of minimizing traffic hazards at street intersections by improving visibility for converging vehicles, obstructions higher than two feet above the adjacent top of the curb or street elevation, whichever is higher, shall not be permitted to be planted, placed, maintained, or erected on any corner lot within the triangular portion of land designated as restricted...
Retaining Walls
Retaining walls in unincorporated Madison County cannot go in a public street or alley right-of-way without Building and Zoning Committee approval, and one built to exceed the county's grading slope limit needs the abutting owner's written consent plus Planning Commission and County Board sign-off.
Madison County Retaining Wall Approval Rules
Significant RestrictionsMadison County Code §§ 93.080(D), 114.133
(D) No permanent fences. No permanent fence, retaining wall, or obstruction shall be constructed or erected within any public street or alley right-of-way unless authorized by the Building and Zoning Committee. ... In no case shall any slope exceed the normal angle of slippage of the soil involved and no fill shall be placed in the five-foot grassy buffer area. The total elevation change shal...
Material Restrictions
Madison County bans barbed wire fences under 6 feet and electrically charged fences everywhere in unincorporated territory except Agricultural Districts, and it limits residential fencing to wood, vinyl, wrought iron, composite, or chain link.
Madison County Fence Material Restrictions
Some RestrictionsMadison County Code § 93.080(C), (H)
(C) Barbed wire. No barbed wire or other such sharp pointed fence below six feet in height and no electrically charged fence shall be erected or maintained except in Agricultural Districts. ... (H) Permitted fencing materials. (1) Residential and Agricultural Zoning District. Wood; vinyl; rod iron; composite; chain link. Construction fencing may be utilized during the construction of an i...
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