Fence Regulations in St. Clair County, IL (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated St. Clair County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Fences, walls, and hedges in unincorporated St. Clair County may run along any lot line up to six feet without extra setback, but a taller fence must meet the district's minimum yard requirement. Corner lots must also keep any obstruction over two feet clear of the visibility triangle at the intersection. The Zoning Administrator enforces both rules under Zoning Ordinance Sec. 40-5-5.
Fence Height Limits in St. Clair County, IL
Some RestrictionsSt. Clair County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 40-5-5(A), (D)
(A) For the purpose of minimizing traffic hazards at street intersections, by improving visibility for converging vehicles, obstructions higher than two (2) feet above the adjacent top of the curb elevation shall not be permitted to be planted, placed, or erected on any corner lot within the triangular portion of land designated as "restricted area" in Figure 1, Section 40-2-3. ... (D) Fences, ...
Fence Permit Requirements
Any fence erected in unincorporated St. Clair County needs a Certificate of Zoning Compliance before construction under Zoning Ordinance Sec. 40-11-2. The certificate confirms the fence meets the Code's placement and height standards, is issued by the Zoning Administrator, and stays valid for one year, renewable while good-faith work continues.
Fence Permits in Unincorporated St. Clair County
Some RestrictionsSt. Clair County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 40-11-2
40-11-2 CERTIFICATE OF ZONING COMPLIANCE. Upon the effective date of this Code, no lot recorded or created shall be developed, no new use or structure (or part thereof) shall be established or erected, no existing use or structure shall be enlarged, extended, altered, relocated, or reconstructed, nor shall it be used, occupied, or put into operation until a certificate of zoning compliance has ...
Neighbor Fence Rules
St. Clair County's zoning code sets no cost-sharing rule for boundary fences. The Illinois Fence Act (765 ILCS 130) governs statewide: adjoining owners each maintain a just proportion of the division fence, and disputes go to town fence viewers.
Shared Fence Rules Between Neighbors
Some Restrictions765 ILCS 130/3 (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.
Retaining Walls
Zoning Ordinance Sec. 40-5-5(C) bars building a retaining wall inside any public street or alley right-of-way in unincorporated St. Clair County unless the County Board specifically authorizes it. A wall on a public easement or across a ditch must not block drainage, and the owner pays to remove or replace it if the county ever needs the right-of-way back.
Retaining Wall Rules in Unincorporated St. Clair County
Some RestrictionsSt. Clair County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 40-5-5(C)
40-5-5 FENCES, WALLS, AND HEDGES. Fences, walls, or hedges used for any purpose shall in all districts conform to the following: (C) No permanent fence or retaining wall shall be constructed or erected within any public street or alley right-of-way unless specifically authorized by the County Board. Fences erected on public easement or across ditches shall be so constructed that drainage shall ...
Material Restrictions
Unincorporated St. Clair County bans barbed wire fencing below ten feet off the ground, any other sharp-pointed fence, and any electrically charged fence in every zoning district except agricultural and rural residential land, where the Zoning Ordinance allows them if they do not create an undue hazard. The rule sits inside the same fence and hedge section that sets height and corner-visibility standards countywide.
Fence Material Restrictions in St. Clair County, IL
Significant RestrictionsSt. Clair County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 40-5-5(B)
(B) No barbed wire below ten (10) feet above ground level or other such sharp pointed fence and no electrically charged fence shall be erected or maintained except in agricultural or rural residential districts where they do not constitute undue hazard.
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