In unincorporated McHenry County, the Unified Development Ordinance caps a solid fence (obscuring more than 50% of the view) at six feet. Open fences may reach eight feet if they meet principal-structure setbacks. Solid fences in a front/street yard are limited to three feet.
The McHenry County UDO (Title 16, § 16.56.050H) governs fences on unincorporated land. Solid fences are limited to six feet and are generally prohibited in effective street yards, except that a solid fence up to three feet is permitted in any yard. Open fences (less than 50% obscured) may reach eight feet, or higher only if they satisfy principal-structure setbacks. Incorporated cities set their own limits: Crystal Lake caps most rear/side-yard fences at six feet, street-abutting yards at four feet (with a five-foot setback), and front yards at three feet under UDO § 4-700. Always confirm with your municipality.
Enforced by the McHenry County Department of Planning & Development as a zoning violation; over-height or non-compliant fences may require modification or removal, and continuing violations can bring daily fines under Title 16 enforcement.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Crystal Lake collects yard waste and food-scrap compost weekly at the curb from April 1 through November 30. Leaves and grass must go in biodegradable paper ...
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Illinois' Homeowners' Native Landscaping Act bars community associations from banning native-species plantings that are kept free of weeds and don't encroach...
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Neither Crystal Lake nor McHenry County prohibits residential rain barrels or rainwater collection, and Illinois has no statewide ban. The McHenry County Sto...
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Crystal Lake uses a color-coded water-conservation system. During a declared 'Yellow' condition, odd-numbered addresses water on odd dates and even addresses...
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Crystal Lake Chapter 526 lists noxious weeds - burdock, ragweed, thistle, poison ivy, wild mustard and others - plus any unmanaged vegetation as nuisance gre...
See how McHenry County's height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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