DuPage County, IL Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Height
- Front yard maximum height: 4 feet 6 inches – Ordinance Sec. 37-407
- Height
- Side and rear yard maximum height: 6 feet 6 inches – Ordinance Sec. 37-407
- Limit
- Front yard fence must be at least 50% open; side/rear may be up to 100% enclosed
- Boundary
- Finished (good) side must face outward toward adjacent property or road right-of-way
- Authority
- Minimum 3-inch setback from all property lines
- Barrier
- Where a fence crosses a drainage or utility easement, the bottom must sit 3-4 inches above existing grade
Summary
In unincorporated DuPage County, residential fences may rise to 4 feet 6 inches in the front yard (and must be at least 50% open) and to 6 feet 6 inches in side and rear yards. The finished side must face outward, fences must be set back at least 3 inches from all property lines, and a county fence permit is required before installation.
Front yard: up to 4 ft 6 in. All other yards: up to 6 ft 6 in. Finished side must face outward toward adjacent property or road. Setback of at least 3 inches from all property lines. Front yard fences must be at least 50% open; other yards may be fully enclosed. Plat of Survey and Construction Plan required with application.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
The DuPage County Building & Zoning Department administers fence regulations for unincorporated DuPage County under Ordinance Sec. 37-407 of the County Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 37) together with Chapter 8 (Building Code). For single-family residential zones, fences in the front yard are limited to 4 feet 6 inches in height and must be at least 50% open (such as picket, split-rail, or open-design wrought iron), while fences in interior side yards and rear yards may rise to 6 feet 6 inches and may be fully enclosed (solid privacy fences).
The finished or "good" side of the fence must face outward toward the adjacent property or the road right-of-way, and the fence must be set back at least 3 inches from every property line. Where a fence crosses a drainage or utility easement, the bottom of the fence must remain 3 to 4 inches above existing grade so it does not impede stormwater flow. A county fence permit issued through the Accela Citizen Access portal is required before installation; applications must include a Plat of Survey showing the proposed fence with dimensions and distances to lot lines, a construction plan showing side cross-section and top view, and a trust disclosure if the property is held in trust.
Contractors must be registered with the county. ) the city or village fence code applies instead; always check the local code for properties inside city limits.
Violations & Fines
Building a fence without a county permit, or in violation of Sec. 37-407 height/opacity standards, is a zoning and building-code violation under Chapter 37 and Chapter 8 of the DuPage County Code. Penalties include stop-work orders, daily fines, and an order to remove or modify the non-conforming fence. Contact DuPage County Building & Zoning at (630) 407-6700 or use the Accela complaint portal to report or resolve a violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my backyard fence be in unincorporated DuPage County?
What about a fence along the street in front of my house?
Do I need a permit to build a fence in DuPage County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in DuPage County
How DuPage County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare DuPage County to another location·View the Illinois fence regulations overview
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