Arlington Heights, IL Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

13-3 of the Zoning Code (Chapter 28) treats a fence as "a permitted obstruction in any yard" but caps it by location. " Side and Rear Yards allow solid, open or semi-open fences up to six feet, subject to three carve-outs: on through lots adjacent to non-through lots, fences facing a road frontage are capped at 36 inches and must be open; on corner lots, the side/rear yard portion with street frontage may have solid, open or semi-open fencing no closer than five feet to the lot perimeter, paired with landscaping at least three feet high spaced no more than 48 inches apart along the street side; and within 12 feet of intersecting property lines at streets, walks, driveways, bike paths or walking paths, fences are limited to 36 inches, open style, no sharp points, to preserve the visibility triangle.

Exterior Side Yards get a parallel rule: up to six feet solid, open or semi-open no closer than five feet to the lot perimeter with the same landscaping requirement, or an open fence up to 36 inches closer in. In every case, no fence can extend beyond the line of the principal building where that building sits closer than five feet to the lot perimeter. Section 28-11 lets a property owner seek a variation from the Zoning Board of Appeals, and any such petition must show the proposed fence's placement and height on the plat of survey.