St. Clair County, IL Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)

Sec. 40-11-2 requires a Certificate of Zoning Compliance before any "new use or structure (or part thereof) shall be established or erected" anywhere in unincorporated St. Clair County, and a fence counts as a structure under the Code. The Zoning Administrator will not issue the certificate unless the proposed fence "conforms to the applicable provisions of this Code," meaning it meets the placement and height rules of Sec. 40-5-5, including the six-foot yard-setback trigger and the corner-lot visibility limit. An applicant must submit the items listed in Sec.

40-11-2(A): name and address of the applicant and owner, the fence's location and its relationship to adjacent structures, the site's dimensions, and the proposed structure's height and setbacks, among other items the Administrator may waive if not applicable. Once issued, an Initial Certificate of Zoning Compliance is good for one year under Sec. 40-11-3 and can be renewed for further one-year periods on written request if the applicant is making a good-faith effort to finish the work. Filing fees for the certificate are set by County Board resolution under Sec.

40-11-9 and are non-refundable once paid to the County Treasurer. Note that the county's separate building code exempts fences 7 feet and under from a building permit (Sec. 7-1-28(A)(2)), but that building-permit exemption does not reach the zoning certificate: Sec. 40-11-2 applies to any new structure regardless of height, so even a short fence needs the certificate before it goes up.