Kankakee County, IL Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

County Code § 121-285 sets the height and placement rules for every fence built in the unincorporated area. In front of the principal structure, only an open fence is allowed, and it cannot exceed four feet; an open front fence may run right up to the property line as long as it does not encroach into the right-of-way. To the side and rear of the principal structure, semisolid or solid fences up to six feet are permitted with the finished side facing out. On a corner lot, a semisolid or solid fence up to six feet may also run along the side yard that adjoins a street, but it cannot extend beyond the building setback line.

Corner lots carry an added restriction from § 121-282(c): within 20 feet of the point where two property lines or rights-of-way intersect, no fence, wall, hedge or sign may exceed 30 inches, and any tree in that triangle must keep its branches at least eight feet above grade. That sight-triangle rule applies on top of, not instead of, the four- and six-foot limits, and exists to keep drivers' views of cross traffic clear at intersections. Fences built for public utilities, communication towers and similar facilities are exempt from these residential limits and may run up to 12 feet under § 121-285(a)(7). Homeowners planning a fence should measure both the yard-specific height cap and the corner sight triangle before installing posts.