6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Will County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
Will County §155-14.90 governs fences and walls in unincorporated areas. Standard residential limits follow typical Illinois patterns (4 feet front yard, 6 feet side/rear). Specific heights vary by zoning district. Contact the Will County Land Use Department for height requirements in your specific zoning district.
Fence construction in unincorporated Will County is governed by the zoning code (§155-14.90). Permits may be required depending on fence height and location. Contact the Will County Land Use Department at 58 E. Clinton St., Joliet for permit applications and specific requirements for your zoning district.
Will County's fence ordinance (§155-14.90) governs placement and materials but the county does not have a residential fence cost-sharing law. Illinois Fence Act (765 ILCS 130) governs agricultural boundary fence cost-sharing only. Fence disputes in residential areas are resolved through civil court. Fences must not obstruct drainage easements.
Will County and its municipalities require building permits for retaining walls over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing. Walls with surcharge (driveway, slope, structure above) require engineered plans from an Illinois licensed PE regardless of height.
Illinois Plumbing Code 77 Ill. Adm. Code 890 and 2018 IRC Appendix G require 48-inch minimum barriers around all residential pools and hot tubs deeper than 24 inches. Self-closing, self-latching gates with latch 54 inches above grade are mandatory in Will County and all municipalities.
Will County Land Use Ordinance and municipal zoning codes permit wood, vinyl, wrought iron, aluminum, and chain-link fencing residentially. Barbed wire and electric fencing are restricted to agricultural zones under county Land Use Ordinance. HOAs in Bolingbrook, Plainfield, and Naperville areas often prohibit chain-link.
3 cities in Will County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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Will County Ordinance Hub →