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

049 governs fencing across the unincorporated county. In all residential districts, platted subdivisions, and around dwelling units in the agriculture districts, only open fences, meaning at least 50% open per one-foot vertical segment, are allowed along the front property line up to the building setback line, and those cannot exceed 4 feet in height. From the building setback line back along the side and rear of the principal structure, fences in residential districts and platted subdivisions may run up to 6 feet, and any solid fence must be built with its finished side facing outward toward neighbors and the street.

On a corner lot, fences may begin at the building setback line along the side and rear property lines at up to 6 feet, addressing the corner-lot visibility concern by keeping taller fencing back from the intersection sight lines near the front. Around non-agricultural or non-residential uses situated in a non-residential district, fences may run up to 8 feet, either open or solid, and the Zoning Board of Appeals may authorize a fence taller than 8 feet as a special use if it finds the public welfare is served.

Fences may be built up to the property line but cannot encroach into a right-of-way, and a property owner who fences within a dedicated easement does so at their own risk, with no fence allowed inside a dedicated drainage easement at all. Certain fencing is exempt from permitting: fencing used for agricultural operations, ornamental fencing such as decorative posts, lattices, arbors, or trellises, and any fence run of less than 24 total lineal feet per parcel, though the last category must still meet the height and placement rules.