7 rules for unincorporated St. Clair County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated St. Clair County, fences up to six feet may sit on the lot line. Fences exceeding six feet must meet the district's minimum yard (setback) requirements. Inside Belleville, O'Fallon and other municipalities, the city's own code governs.
St. Clair County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 40-5-5(D)
Fences, walls, and hedges in any district may be located along lot lines, provided such fences, walls and hedges exceeding six (6) feet high shall be subject to the minimum yard requirements of the district in which such fences are located.
St. Clair County requires a Certificate of Zoning Compliance before any structure is erected in the unincorporated county, which the Zoning Administrator issues only if the work conforms to the code. Contact the Building & Zoning Department in Belleville before building a fence.
St. Clair County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 40-11-2
no new use or structure (or part thereof) shall be established or erected... until a certificate of zoning compliance has been issued except as otherwise specifically permitted. The Zoning Administrator shall not issue a certificate of zoning compliance unless he determines that the proposed work conforms to the applicable provisions of this Code.
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.
765 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.
St. Clair County bars permanent retaining walls within any public street or alley right-of-way unless the County Board authorizes it. Walls placed on easements must not obstruct drainage, and the owner pays to remove or replace them for maintenance.
St. Clair County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 40-5-5(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 not be obstructed.
Fences in unincorporated St. Clair County may run along lot lines but must keep corner intersections clear: no obstruction higher than two feet above the curb is allowed within the sight-triangle 'restricted area,' improving visibility for converging vehicles.
St. Clair County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 40-5-5(A)
For the purpose of minimizing traffic hazards at street intersections... 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".
St. Clair County restricts barbed-wire and electric fences. Barbed wire below ten feet above ground and electrically charged fences are barred except in agricultural or rural residential districts where they pose no undue hazard.
St. Clair County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 40-5-5(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.
St. Clair County's zoning code sets no general list of approved fence materials but bars barbed wire below ten feet and electric fences outside agricultural and rural residential districts. Standard wood, vinyl, chain-link and masonry fences are permitted within height and setback rules.
St. Clair County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 40-5-5(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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