Lake County, IL Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard fence height cap
- 6 feet
- Max with Director approval
- 8 feet
- Finished side
- Must face outward
- Recreational fence over 6 ft
- Min. 90% open
- Applies to
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
Unincorporated Lake County caps fences and walls at six feet, requires the finished side to face outward, and makes tall recreational fences mostly open.
Fences and walls shall be permitted in any required setback (except within required visibility triangles, see § 151.172). The finished/ornamental side of the fence shall face outward... The maximum height of walls and fences shall be six feet, or six feet six inches when the fence is required to be elevated due to the drainage requirement... If a recreational fence is greater than six feet in height, it shall be a minimum of 90% open.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-15: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 26-0618, passed 6-9-2026 | State legislation current through ILCS Pamphlet 2025 #5).
Full Breakdown
Under the county's Unified Development Ordinance, fences and walls in unincorporated Lake County are capped at six feet (six feet six inches if elevated for drainage), with the Planning, Building and Development Director able to authorize up to eight feet for screening, buffering, security, or a residential/nonresidential separation. Whatever material is used, the finished or ornamental side of the fence must face outward toward neighbors and the street, unless the Director waives that after finding no practical benefit. Recreational fences over six feet, tennis or volleyball court enclosures, must be at least 90% open. This chapter applies only to unincorporated Lake County; Waukegan, North Chicago, Highland Park, Gurnee, Libertyville, and the county's many other incorporated municipalities enforce their own fence codes.
Violations & Fines
Enforced by the Planning, Building and Development Department; a fence built with its structural/unfinished side facing the neighbor or street, or exceeding the height cap without authorization, is a code violation subject to a stop-work order and required correction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply inside Waukegan or Libertyville?
Which side of the fence has to face my neighbor?
How tall can a fence be without special approval?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lake County
Compare Lake County to another location·View the Illinois fence regulations overview
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