Madison County, IL Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Max height
- 6 feet, § 93.080(E)
- Front yard
- 4 feet max, 50% open
- Corner visibility
- No obstruction over 2 feet in sight triangle
- Barbed wire
- Banned below 6 feet except in Agricultural Districts
- Double fencing
- Banned unless 2+ feet apart
- Penalty
- $10-$500 per day, § 93.999
Summary
Countywide, unincorporated Madison County caps fences at 6 feet under Zoning Code § 93.080(E), drops that to 4 feet and 50% open in front yards, and bars anything over 2 feet tall inside the corner-lot visibility triangle under § 93.080(B).
(B) Visibility. For the purpose of minimizing traffic hazards at street intersections by improving visibility for converging vehicles, obstructions higher than two feet above the adjacent top of the curb or street elevation, whichever is higher, shall not be permitted to be planted, placed, maintained, or erected on any corner lot within the triangular portion of land designated as restricted area in Figure 1. ... (E) Fences are not to obstruct. No fence shall obstruct the view at a public or private road. The maximum height of any fence, or portion thereof, shall be six feet unless otherwise specifically exempted by another provision of this code. No fence is permitted in a front yard, or a front yard setback area, unless it is of an open type, at least 50% open, and does not exceed four feet in height. The finish side of any fence shall face outward toward adjacent properties.
Full Breakdown
080 of the Madison County Zoning Code, titled 'Buffer Strips, Fences, Walls and Hedge,' applies its fence rules 'in all districts' of unincorporated county land. ' The finished side of any fence has to face outward toward neighboring properties. Division (B) protects sightlines at intersections: on a corner lot, nothing over two feet above the curb or street elevation can be planted, placed or erected within the triangular area shown in the code's Figure 1, so drivers can see cross traffic. Division (C) bans barbed wire, other sharp-pointed fencing under six feet, and electrically charged fencing everywhere except Agricultural Districts.
Division (G) bars double fencing unless the two fences are at least two feet apart, and division (H) limits materials to wood, vinyl, wrought iron, composite or chain link in residential and agricultural districts, with corrugated metal added for commercial and manufacturing districts, subject to the Zoning Administrator's approval. No permanent fence may go up in a public street or alley right-of-way without Building and Zoning Committee authorization, and anyone dismantling a fence has to remove every component, not leave posts or sections behind.
Violations & Fines
A fence that exceeds six feet, exceeds four feet or isn't 50% open in the front yard, blocks the corner visibility triangle, or uses banned materials like barbed wire outside an Agricultural District violates § 93.080 and is enforceable under § 93.999: a $10 to $500 fine, with each day it stays up after notice a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my fence be in unincorporated Madison County?
What's the corner-lot visibility rule?
Can I put up a barbed-wire fence?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madison County
How Madison County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Madison County to another location·View the Illinois fence regulations overview
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