Winnebago County, IL Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)

1 lists the actions that trigger a zoning permit before work starts, including establishing a new use, building a slab or foundation, and erecting, constructing, reconstructing, enlarging, altering or moving any building or structure. The UDO's own definitions article defines a "Structure" as "anything erected, the use of which requires more or less permanent location on the ground," and separately defines a "Fence" as an artificially constructed barrier erected to enclose or screen an area, so a fence falls squarely within the permit trigger. The application itself must be filed in writing with the Planning and Zoning Officer, state the property's legal description, PIN or address, name the owner and applicant, describe the use being established, and attach a dimensioned drawing of the building plot showing the location of structures and lot areas to be used; the office keeps every application and issued permit on file for public reference.

3 no certificate of occupancy issues until every condition of that zoning permit is satisfied. The permit process establishes only that a fence may be built; the actual height, material and setback standards that govern what the fence can look like are set out separately in the fence-standards section of the same Article.