Is a permit required?
A fence permit is required before installing, rebuilding, enlarging or structurally altering any fence.
"A fence permit is required prior to the installation, reconstruction, enlargement, or structural alteration of any fence."
Source: aurora.il.us
If a new fence replaces part or all of an old one, the old fence must be fully removed first.
"the existing fence needs to be completely removed prior to installation of the new fence"
Source: aurora.il.us
How to apply
Fence permits are submitted online through the city's eTRAKiT portal; phone 630.256.3130.
"Online Portal: https://auro-trk.aspgov.com/etrakit/ Phone: 630.256.3130"
Source: aurora.il.us
The contractor or owner must call J.U.L.I.E. to mark utilities before digging post holes.
"The contractor or owner must contact J.U.L.I.E. at 800.892.0123 to mark any and all utilities prior to digging post holes"
Source: aurora.il.us
A final city inspection is optional for this application type and costs extra.
"Are you requesting a final inspection of your fence (it is optional for this application type, additional fees will apply)"
Source: aurora.il.us
What it costs
The 2026 fee schedule lists a residential fence with a $31 minimum permit inspection fee (optional) and an $82 minimum plan review fee.
"RESIDENTIAL FENCE $31 (OPTIONAL) $82"
Source: aurora.il.us
How tall it can be in back and side yards
Rear yard of an interior lot: solid or open fence, 6 feet maximum.
"Rear Yard a. Materials: Solid or open fences are permitted. b. Height: 6’ maximum."
Source: aurora.il.us
Interior side yard: 6 feet maximum if the lot is 50 feet wide or more.
"If your lot is 50’ wide or greater i. Materials: Solid or open fences are permitted. ii. Height: 6’ maximum."
Source: aurora.il.us
Interior side yard: 4 feet maximum if the lot is less than 50 feet wide.
"If your lot is less than 50’ wide i. Materials: Solid or open fences are permitted. ii. Height: 4’ maximum."
Source: aurora.il.us
Front yards and corner lots
Front yard: 3 feet maximum for a solid fence, 4 feet maximum for an open fence.
"i. 3’ maximum height is the fence is classified as solid. ii. 4’ maximum height when the fence is classified as open."
Source: aurora.il.us
An open fence is more than 50% open as seen from outside; a solid fence is less than 50% open.
"An open fence is greater than fifty percent (50%) open as viewed from outside the fence."
Source: aurora.il.us
Corner lot, exterior side yard: a solid fence is limited to 3 feet and an open fence to 6 feet.
"3’ maximum height if the fence is classified as solid."
Source: aurora.il.us
Corner lot, exterior side yard: a solid fence can go above 3 feet, up to 6 feet, if set back at least 5 feet from the property line or public sidewalk, whichever is greater.
"may be increased over 3’, but not to exceed 6’ in the exterior side yard, provided the fence is set back a minimum of 5’ from property line or the public sidewalk, whichever is greater."
Source: aurora.il.us
Corners and driveways
Within 15 feet of where property lines meet at streets, walks or driveways, fences cannot exceed 3 feet, solid or open.
"Within fifteen horizontal feet (15’) of intersecting property lines at public streets, walks, driveways, bike paths, or walking paths, fences shall not exceed three (3’) feet in height, whether solid or open fencing is used."
Source: aurora.il.us
Where a fence meets a driveway, a 15 by 15 foot obstruction triangle must stay clear of fences over 3 feet solid or 4 feet open.
"an obstruction triangle measured fifteen (15) feet along the property line and fifteen (15) feet up the driveway shall be maintained for any fences over three (3) feet solid or four (4) feet open"
Source: aurora.il.us
Property lines and surveys
No part of the fence, including posts and footings, may extend past the property line.
"No portion of a fence, including posts and post footings, shall extend past the property line."
Source: aurora.il.us
A fence next to a public sidewalk must be set back at least 1 foot from the sidewalk.
"When fences are adjacent to a public sidewalk they must be setback a minimum of one (1) foot from said sidewalk."
Source: aurora.il.us
The application requires a current plat of survey showing fence heights, dimensions, materials, style and placement.
"Submittal requires a copy of current PLAT OF SURVEY with indication of fence heights, dimensions, materials, style, and placement"
Source: aurora.il.us
The city does not locate property lines or settle line disputes; it suggests hiring a surveyor.
"The City does not locate property lines and is unable to assist in property line disputes."
Source: aurora.il.us
What is not allowed
The finished side of the fence must face outward, with posts on the inside of the owner's property.
"The finished side of a fence must face outward with all fence posts located on the inside of the fence owner’s property"
Source: aurora.il.us
Chain link is prohibited in the front yard and along any right-of-way.
"CHAINLINK is strictly prohibited in the front yard as well as along any right-of-way"
Source: aurora.il.us
Fences with barbed wire, spikes or an electric charge strong enough to shock are unlawful anywhere in the city.
"It shall be unlawful to construct or maintain anywhere within the City a fence equipped with barbed wire, spikes or any similar device, or any electric charge sufficient to cause shock."
Source: aurora.il.us
Approved materials include ornamental iron, vinyl, masonry, stone and decay-resistant wood; broken boards, wire mesh, tarps and fabrics are not approved.
"Examples of approved materials: ornamental iron, vinyl, masonry, stone, pressure treated lumber, wood with natural resistance to decay"
Source: aurora.il.us
Pool fences
Pool fences follow the Building Code; the city says to call Building and Permits for details (no height given in the pages retrieved).
"Fences for pools are pursuant to Building Code."
Source: aurora.il.us
Other rules
Fences are not allowed in floodway areas shown on the FEMA map.
"Fences shall not be permitted in floodway areas as designated on FEMA’s flood boundary and floodway map."
Source: aurora.il.us
Homeowners association approval may be required and is a separate process from the city permit.
"approval from your Homeowner’s Association may be required and is a separate process from City of Aurora permit process"
Source: aurora.il.us
Before anyone digs
Illinois law requires a call to JULIE, the state's one-call system, before digging post holes. Call 811 or (800) 892-0123, or file online, at least 3 days before work starts. The call is free, and the locate is good for 25 days. On a hired job, the company doing the digging makes the call. More on Illinois fence rules
We are not the City of Aurora. Rules change, and some neighborhoods and HOAs have their own. Confirm with the city before you build. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
