When installing a fence on your premises, a Fence Permit Application must be submitted accompanied by the requirements below. If you have hired a contractor(s) to perform the work, they must obtain a Contractor's Business License with the Village before issuance of the permit.

If you have any questions, please contact the Permitting Division of the Community Development Department at 847-923-4420.

Current Fee

• Residential: $30
• Commercial: $150
• Storage Yard: $150

Submittal Requirements

• Submit a commercial permit application through the OpenGov Permit Portal. 
• Plat of Survey indicating the location of proposed fence.

Inspections Required

• Final inspection

All inspections require a 24 hour minimum advanced notice. Schedule inspections up to 4 p.m. on the business day prior to the requested inspection date by submitting a request through the Permit Portal or calling Permit Services at 847-923-4420.

Definitions

• Area Fence – A fence that is located more than six (6) inches off the rear property line. Side yard fences shall be located on the property line or no more than six (6) inches into the fence owners property.

• Open Fence – A fence having a regular pattern of which more than eighty percent (80%) of the surface will permit the unobstructed passage of light and air when viewed perpendicular (right angle) to the plane of the fence.

• Perimeter Fence – A fence that is located on or within six (6) inches of the property line.

• Privacy Fence – A fence that may be solid and a maximum of six (6) feet in height.

• Security Fence – A fence with barbed wire or similar security devices.

• Semi-Open Fence – A fence having a regular pattern of which a minimum of thirty percent (30%) of the surface is unobstructed to both light and air when viewed perpendicular (right angle) to the plane of the fence. Board-on-board and shadow box fences do not meet this requirement.

• Solid Fence – A fence having a regular pattern that has less than thirty percent (30%) of the surface which is open and unobstructed to both light and air when viewed perpendicular (right angle) to the plane of the fence.

Code Requirements

• Chain link fences with slats are prohibited.

• Perimeter fences may be erected in the side and rear yards, but not beyond the front of the building at any point. These fences may be open or semi-open and no greater than five (5) feet in height when measured along the vertical from the surface of the ground to the highest point on the fence.

• No fence shall be constructed in a front yard beyond the front of the building at any point. On corner lots, no fence shall be erected beyond the building on either side.

• Area fences are permitted in rear yards only. You may bring the fence in more than six (6) inches from the rear property line, but a gate must be installed to assure the property outside the fence line will be maintained. All other fence regulations will be adhered to.

• Fence posts and related supporting structures shall be erected so that the finished side or sides of the fence shall face the neighboring properties or public right-of-way.

• No hazardous-type fence that can cause injuries will be permitted to be erected or maintained within a residential area, such as barbed wire, electric fences, fences and walls with spikes, broken glass, or other sharp points.

• Privacy fences of solid, semi-open type up to a maximum of six feet in height will be allowed around patios and/or decks up to 16 feet into the rear yard as measured from the rear of the principal structure and no closer to the side property line than the required side yard distance. Said privacy fences shall be constructed of wood, masonry, or a combination thereof, or a comparable material as deemed appropriately by the Director of Community Development. Chain link fences with slats are hereby prohibited.

• A six (6) foot solid or semi-open fence will be allowed only in residential districts along property lines contiguous to parks, recreational areas or schools, to property zoned or used for multiple family, manufacturing uses, or business or office uses, or if a parking lot abuts a single family residence, to provide screening for both light and noise. If a single family residence abuts the following thoroughfares: Irving Park Road, Higgins Road, Golf Road, Schaumburg Road, Roselle Road, Bode Road, Wise Road, Plum Grove Road, Meacham Road, Springinsguth Road north of Schaumburg Road, and Jones Road north of Higgins Road, the above-referenced fence will be allowed only on that property side or sides that abut the thoroughfare, but shall not extend beyond the building on either street side; but if a corner lot has a side yard that is immediately adjacent to a lot that has a rear yard that abuts such thoroughfares, named above, then said referenced fence would be allowed to extend to the front of the building.

• Every fence shall be designed and constructed to resist and withstand a wind pressure from any angle of approach of not less than twenty (20) pounds per square foot of the gross projected area of fence, less openings. At least one-third of the fence post must be in the ground to resist wind. All posts, anchors and bracings of wood or other organic materials shall be treated to protect them from deteriorating when they rest upon or enter into the ground. All fences shall be maintained in good condition and shall not create a harborage for rats. Fences that are leaning in such a manner than an angle fifteen (15) degrees or greater is produced when measured from the vertical are dangerous and shall be unlawful. Any fence that is to be painted should be painted with a non-lead based paint.