Winnebago County, IL Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Rear/side yard max
- 6 feet
- Front yard max
- 4 feet
- Corner side yard
- Same as front, 4 feet
- Governing code
- UDO Sec. 18.3.6
Summary
Winnebago County caps residential fence height at 6 feet in side and rear yards and 4 feet in front yards under the Unified Development Ordinance.
Fences located parallel to the front lot line, between the side lot line and the structure and at or behind the front building line are limited to a maximum height of six (6) feet. Fences located in front of the front building line, including fences parallel to the front and side lot lines, are limited to a maximum height of four (4) feet.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 64).
Full Breakdown
Under UDO Section 18.3.6.C, fences in residential, Conservation Design and TND districts behind the front building line, including interior side and rear yards, max out at 6 feet. Anything forward of the front building line, including fences running along the front or corner side lot lines, is capped at 4 feet. Fences must sit entirely within the owner's lot, with posts on the inside and the finished side facing outward, and are limited to listed materials such as treated wood, decorative brick or stone, wrought-iron-style metal, or coated chain link without slats.
Violations & Fines
Zoning enforcement can require an oversized or noncompliant fence to be altered or removed; nonconforming fences must be brought into compliance once repairs exceed 50% of that yard's fence value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a 6-foot privacy fence along my front yard in Winnebago County?
Does the fence have to stay on my property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Winnebago County
How Winnebago County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Winnebago County to another location·View the Illinois fence regulations overview
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