Lake County, IL Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard max height
- 6 feet (6'6" if elevated for drainage)
- Director-authorized max
- 8 feet for screening/buffering/security
- Residential/nonresidential buffer
- 8 feet allowed automatically
- Tall recreational fences
- Must be 90% open above 6 feet
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Lake County only
Summary
Unincorporated Lake County caps fences and walls at six feet, with a taller eight-foot fence allowed by the zoning director or automatically between residential and nonresidential uses.
Fences and walls shall be permitted in any required setback (except within required visibility triangles... The maximum height of walls and fences shall be six feet, or six feet six inches when the fence is required to be elevated due to the drainage requirement. In instances when greater height is deemed necessary to provide adequate visual screening, buffering and security, the Planning, Building and Development Director shall be authorized to allow a maximum fence or wall height of eight feet. However, an eight-foot high fence or a wall may be allowed separating residential and nonresidential uses without the Planning, Building and Development Director's authorization.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-15: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 26-0618, passed 6-9-2026 | State legislation current through ILCS Pamphlet 2025 #5).
Full Breakdown
Under the Unified Development Ordinance, fences and walls are allowed in any required setback except within visibility triangles or protected open space. Standard maximum height is six feet (six feet six inches if drainage requires elevation). The Planning, Building and Development Director may authorize up to eight feet for screening, buffering or security, and an eight-foot fence or wall separating residential from nonresidential uses is allowed without that authorization. Recreational fences over six feet (tennis or volleyball court enclosures) must be at least 90% open, and fences around commercial solar energy systems may reach eight feet. The finished, ornamental side must face outward unless the Director waives that. This chapter applies only in unincorporated Lake County. Waukegan, North Chicago, Highland Park, Gurnee, Libertyville and the county's many other municipalities set their own fence rules.
Violations & Fines
Building without a required permit or exceeding the height cap can draw a stop-work order and code enforcement action from the Planning, Building and Development Department; noncompliant fences may have to be altered or removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a fence be in unincorporated Lake County?
Do these rules apply inside Waukegan or Highland Park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lake County
How Lake County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Lake County to another location·View the Illinois fence regulations overview
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