Peoria, IL Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

Section 5.4.6 of Peoria's Unified Development Code sets the citywide fence standard for residential, office, commercial, institutional and I-1 zoned lots. Front yard fences and corner side yard fences are capped at 3 feet with no required setback from the property line; in the I-2 and I-3 industrial districts that maximum rises to 8 feet. A corner side yard fence can go taller than 3 feet, up to 6 feet, but only if it is set back at least 10 feet from the property line. Side yard fences can reach 6 feet, though the same table bars any fence or wall within 3 feet of the principal structure regardless of height. Rear yard fences are also capped at 6 feet (8 feet in I-2/I-3).

Height is measured "from an established grade to the top most section of the fence or wall," and where the lot has a contour, the fence must follow that contour rather than being measured from a single flat point (Section 5.4.6(B)(2)). Decorative pillars built into a fence cannot rise more than 25 percent higher than the attached fence and cannot exceed 24 inches wide (Section 5.4.6(B)(3)). Except in the I-2 or I-3 industrial districts, chain link and wire fencing cannot be installed in a front or corner side yard (Section 5.4.6(B)(7)). Corner lots carry an added restriction: fences and walls "must observe the sight triangle requirement as set forth 10.0 Definitions" (Section 5.4.6(B)(6)), keeping the corner clear for driver visibility. Older nonconforming front yard fences that predate the ordinance may stay in place, but not be replaced, if they are 4 feet or under, at least 40 percent open, built of harmonious materials, and observe the sight triangle (Section 5.4.6(B)(8)).