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

Chapter 350's fence regulations at § 350-51 apply to any fence taller than four feet, except agricultural fences and fences addressed elsewhere in the code. Section 350-51C sets the height ceiling: no fence shall be constructed of a height greater than four feet in the front yard or seven feet elsewhere, with exceptions carved out for fences on public or parochial school grounds, in public parks and playgrounds, or around competitive telecommunications facilities. Amended February 17, 2015, the same subsection lets the County Board authorize a fence taller than seven feet through a special use approval if the Board determines the public welfare is served, so a fence over the base limit is not an automatic denial but does require that discretionary county approval.

Two general safety standards apply on top of the height cap: § 350-51A bars any fence that would create a traffic hazard, aimed most directly at corner-lot fences near intersections, and § 350-51B bars a fence built or designed in a way that is hazardous or dangerous to people or animals. A related sight triangle rule at § 350-48 separately bars anything planted, placed, or erected between 2 1/2 and 8 feet high within 90 feet of a street intersection's center line, so a corner-lot fence has to clear both the § 350-51 height cap and the § 350-48 sight triangle.