Fence Installation in Chicago, IL
Chicago skips the building permit for a fence 5 feet or lower, but a front yard fence more than 20 percent solid stops at 54 inches.
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Fence rules in Chicago
| Permit | Not for a fence no more than 5 feet above the ground, measured on both sides, that meets the zoning ordinance. That exception may not apply on a Chicago Landmark property or in a landmark district. (City of Chicago Department of Buildings, work that does not need a building permit: Fences, checked 2026-10-26) |
|---|---|
| Front yard height | In the required front setback, 54 inches if the fence is more than 20 percent solid. The Express Permit Program also covers a front fence up to 6 feet if it is at least 80 percent open. (City of Chicago, Express Permit Program: Fence or Trash Enclosure, checked 2026-10-26) |
| Back yard height | 6 feet, the general limit for homes. Height is measured from the lowest ground within 12 inches of either side, and posts may stand up to 6 inches taller. (City of Chicago, Express Permit Program Terms: Fence or Trash Enclosure, checked 2026-10-26) |
| Corners and sight lines | The permit pages we read set no separate corner rule. Check with the city before building near a corner. (City of Chicago, Guide to Building Permits, checked 2026-10-26) |
| Pool barrier | Not covered on the Express Permit fence pages. Ask the Department of Buildings what a pool enclosure needs. (City of Chicago, Guide to Building Permits, checked 2026-10-26) |
| Before you dig | Call 811 Chicago at 312-744-7000 two business days before digging. The service is free to homeowners. (City of Chicago, 811 Chicago (Digger), checked 2026-10-26) |
| Who to ask | The Department of Buildings runs the Express Permit Program and answers questions at dob-info@cityofchicago.org. A fence over 6 feet needs an official survey by an Illinois-licensed land surveyor, no more than 5 years old. (City of Chicago, Express Permit Program: Fence or Trash Enclosure, checked 2026-10-26) |
| Also good to know | Taking down a fence no more than 5 feet tall, repainting one or replacing a few damaged parts needs no building permit, and neither does a retaining wall up to 4 feet that holds back no extra load. (City of Chicago Department of Buildings, work that does not need a building permit: Fences, checked 2026-10-26) |
Chicago rules stop at the city limits, and suburbs write their own. For Calumet City, see Calumet City fence rules.
How tall a fence can be in Chicago
In general, fences on residential properties in Chicago are limited to 6 feet tall. In the required front setback of a residential property, a fence that is more than 20 percent opaque or solid is limited to 54 inches. (City of Chicago, Express Permit Program Terms: Fence or Trash Enclosure, checked October 2026)
Under Chicago's Express Permit terms, fence height is measured from the lowest surface within 12 inches horizontally on either side of the fence to the highest point of the fence, not counting posts. Posts may exceed the permitted height by up to 6 inches. A fence that does not meet this at inspection, subject to normal construction tolerances, must be rebuilt to match the permit at the contractor's or owner's expense. (City of Chicago, Express Permit Program Terms: Fence or Trash Enclosure, checked October 2026)
Permits in Chicago
A Chicago building permit is not required to install a fence that is no more than 5 feet above the ground, measured on both sides, as long as it conforms to the Chicago Zoning Ordinance. This exception may not apply on a proposed or designated Chicago Landmark property or in a landmark district. (City of Chicago Department of Buildings, What types of work do not require a building permit? Fences, checked October 2026)
Chicago's Express Permit Program offers a streamlined way to get a building permit for several common fences, including a front yard fence up to 54 inches tall, a front yard fence up to 6 feet tall if it is at least 80% open, and a backyard fence up to 6 feet tall. In many cases it can also be used to legalize a fence that was installed without the proper permit. (City of Chicago, Express Permit Program: Fence or Trash Enclosure, checked October 2026)
Most fence applications through the Express Permit Program need no uploaded documents. A fence taller than 6 feet needs an official property survey and a site plan drawn to scale, and the survey must be prepared by an Illinois-licensed land surveyor and be no more than 5 years old. (City of Chicago, Express Permit Program: Fence or Trash Enclosure, checked October 2026)
Chicago's stand-alone permit fee schedule lists $75 to install a fence up to 6 feet high of any length and any material except masonry, and $300 for a fence over 6 feet high. (Chicago Construction Codes, Table 14A-12-1204.2 Stand-Alone Permit Fees, checked October 2026)
Where the fence can go
Barbed wire or razor wire may not be installed under a Chicago fence permit unless it is explicitly described in the permit application, and it may not be installed less than 7 feet above the ground. The fence permit also does not allow an electrified fence or any other electrical work. (City of Chicago, Express Permit Program Terms: Fence or Trash Enclosure, checked October 2026)
Chicago's building code bans barbed wire or razor wire lower than 8 feet above the ground. The exception is wire wholly on or over private property, which is allowed more than 7 feet above the ground. (Chicago Building Code, Sec. 14B-31-3114, checked October 2026)
Any fence in Chicago must be designed and built to withstand a horizontal wind pressure of at least 30 pounds per square foot from any direction. Walls of stone, concrete, terra cotta or brick, or structural tile, may only be installed by a Chicago-licensed mason contractor. (City of Chicago, Express Permit Program Terms: Fence or Trash Enclosure, checked October 2026)
Before you dig in Illinois
Inside Chicago city limits, call 811 Chicago at 312-744-7000 at least two business days before digging, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. The One Call service is free to homeowners and private contractors. (City of Chicago, 811 Chicago (formerly DIGGER), checked October 2026)
Checking a fence company in Chicago
A Chicago Express Permit fence application requires a licensed general contractor (Class A, B, C, D or E), though in some cases the owner may act as general contractor. A masonry fence also requires a licensed mason contractor (Class A or B), and in some cases the owner may act as mason contractor. (City of Chicago, Express Permit Program: Fence or Trash Enclosure, checked October 2026)
Chicago ground and weather
Chicago's building code adopts IBC Section 1809 on shallow foundations and rewrites item 1 of Section 1809.5 to read 'Extending at least 42 inches (1067 mm) below final grade.' The code does not set a separate post depth for fences. (Chicago Building Code, Sec. 14B-18-1809, checked October 2026)
Vinyl, chain link and cost in Chicago
In Chicago the material can decide how tall a front fence may be. A solid vinyl privacy fence counts as more than 20 percent solid, so in the front setback it stops at 54 inches. A front fence can reach 6 feet only if it is at least 80 percent open, so ask the city whether the chain link, aluminum or picket style you like meets that test before you order. Fixr prices 4 foot vinyl at $15 to $25 a foot installed and 4 foot galvanized chain link at $13.15 to $23.50. (City of Chicago, Express Permit Program: Fence or Trash Enclosure, checked 2026-10-26) (Fixr chain link and vinyl costs, checked 2026-10-26)
National figures, not a Chicago price survey. Price your own yard with the calculator, or see the vinyl, chain link and wood cost guides.
See how Chicago's rules compare with the other cities we cover in the fence height and permit table.
Comparing companies?
We ranked 11 Chicago fence companies on their Google ratings, years in business, insurance and emergency or storm repair work: best fence companies in Chicago.
Areas served
Chicago and nearby Evanston, Oak Park, Cicero, Skokie, Berwyn, Oak Lawn.