Waukegan, IL Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

03-2 of the Unified Development Ordinance sets maximum fence height by zoning district and yard location. In the R1 through R5 and L1 through L3 residential districts, fences are capped at 4 feet in the front yard and corner side yard, and 6 feet in the interior side and rear yards. In all other zoning districts, the front yard cap remains 4 feet, but the corner side and interior side limits rise to 6 feet and the rear yard limit rises to 8 feet. Height is measured from the ground at the base of the fence or wall, and the same table governs walls.

c requires that both sides of a fence or wall be similar in construction and appearance, with the finished side facing outward and posts on the owner's side. Fences within front or corner side yard setbacks must be ornamental (wrought iron, picket, or split rail) with 50 percent transparency, and all fences in the L1, L2, and L3 lakefront districts must meet that same ornamental, 50-percent-transparency standard regardless of location on the lot. Barbed wire, electrically charged wire, and razor wire are prohibited outright in the R1 through R5 and L1 through L3 districts, and elsewhere are allowed only with site plan review and capped at 7 feet.

Every fence must sit on or within the lot for which a fence permit was issued, with no post encroaching onto neighboring property, and any fence with frontage on a public right-of-way, other than corner lots, must include a gate providing access to that right-of-way.