Oak Lawn, IL Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Barbed/electric wire
- Banned residential, allowed commercial 7ft+
- Also banned
- Chicken wire, mesh wire, snow fence, concrete block
- Nuisance overlay
- § 8-1-3(N) also bans residential barbed wire
- Fine range
- $10 to $750 per violation
Summary
Oak Lawn bans barbed wire, electrically charged wire, chicken wire, mesh wire, snow fence and solid concrete block on residential fences, and separately lists barbed wire as a nuisance in residential districts.
Any suitable construction material may be used for a fence, except chicken wire, square welded mesh wire, barbed wire, electrically charged wire, temporary snow fence, or solid concrete block; or be topped with sharp edged material, except that this shall not be construed to prohibit picket fences. The entire length of the fence shall be constructed of the same or harmonious materials.
C. Commercial, Office Or Manufacturing Zoning District Requirements:
1. The maximum height of any fence in any commercial, office or manufacturing use district shall not exceed six feet (6') in height.
2. No fence shall be built, constructed or erected so as to extend past the front yard building line as established by the zoning ordinance 2 , nor shall any fence be built past the side street yard on a corner lot as established by the zoning ordinance. No fence shall be erected in any public right of way. Fence construction shall be such that it provides a clear and unobstructed view from the building line to the property line. A clear and unobstructed view shall be construed to mean that at least 90 percent of any object on the opposite side of the fence shall be clearly visible at all times. No fence shall be built, constructed or erected in any utility easement, except wherein a release is given to the village prior thereto, absolving the village from all liability and damages resulting from subsequent entry for the purpose
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-15: Code current through: Ord. 26-09-22, passed April 28, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Village Code section 6-11-3(B)(4) bars several materials from residential fences: chicken wire, square welded mesh wire, barbed wire, electrically charged wire, temporary snow fence, and solid concrete block, plus any sharp-edged topping (picket fences are exempted from the topping ban). Section 8-1-3(N) separately declares barbed wire fencing or screening "of any type" in a residentially zoned district a nuisance, giving code enforcement a second route against it. Barbed wire is allowed only in commercial, office or manufacturing districts, and only above 7 feet, turned inward, and set back 5 feet from streets, sidewalks, alleys, parks or public right-of-way.
Violations & Fines
Violating the fence chapter's material rules draws a fine of $10 to $750 per violation under section 6-11-7, with each day a noncompliant fence remains up counting as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put barbed wire on my Oak Lawn residential fence?
Is barbed wire allowed anywhere in Oak Lawn?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oak Lawn
Compare Oak Lawn to another location·View the Illinois fence regulations overview
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Material Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle material restrictions.