Fence permits in Bloomington, IL

A permit from the Development Services Department is required before any fence is installed in Bloomington.

"Prior to installation of any fence, a permit shall be acquired from the Development Services Department."

Source: ecode360.com

The city's Building Safety page lists fences, dog runs, gates and entry monuments among projects that need a building permit.

"Fences, dog runs, gates, and entry monuments"

Source: bloomingtonil.gov

Fence permit applications go through the city's online form system, and the city asks for up to 5 business days to process.

"All applications will need to be submitted through our digital form system."

Source: bloomingtonil.gov

The online Fence/Tent Permit Application is hosted on the city's form system.

"Fence/Tent Permit Application"

Source: bloomingtonil.gov

The city says to allow up to 5 business days for processing and approval once an application is submitted.

"Please allow up to 5 business days for processing and approval of your application once submitted."

Source: bloomingtonil.gov

Bloomington building permit fees are based on the cost of the improvement; the pages reviewed do not publish a flat fence fee.

"The fee for a permit shall be based on the reasonable cost/value of the improvement, including material and labor at a fair market value."

Source: bloomingtonil.gov

In residential districts the maximum fence height is 6 feet in required side and rear yards (and 4 feet in the required front yard).

"Residential Districts 4 feet 6 feet 6 feet 6 feet"

Source: ecode360.com

On residential corner lots, a fence in the secondary front yard behind the back face of the house may go up to 6 feet; above 4 feet it must sit at least 3 feet back from the front property line, and any fence in a front or secondary front yard must be at least 50% transparent.

"If increased above four feet in height, a minimum setback of three feet from the front property line shall be provided. All fences in any required front or secondary front yard must be at least 50% transparent"

Source: ecode360.com

Fence height is measured from the established grade on the fence owner's own property to the top of the fence.

"The fence height shall be measured from the established grade on the fence owner's property to the topmost section of said fence."

Source: ecode360.com

Clear sight triangles at street corners must be free of opaque objects between 2.5 and 10 feet high, with legs of 15 feet on local streets, 20 feet on collectors and 25 feet on arterials.

"Clear sight triangles shall be free of structures and other opaque, or substantially opaque, objects between a height of 2.5 and 10 feet"

Source: ecode360.com

At driveways and alleys the clear sight triangle extends 10 feet along the driveway and 10 feet along the street; fences in the triangle need at least 50% transparency above 2.5 feet.

"outward 10 feet along the driveway or alley (into the private property) and 10 feet outward, parallel to the street"

Source: ecode360.com

A fence may sit on or near the lot line but cannot cross onto a neighbor's land or the right-of-way; if set off the side or rear line it must be at least 3 feet in.

"a fence may be located near or on a lot line but shall not protrude in full or in part onto any adjacent property or right-of-way."

Source: ecode360.com

The owner is responsible for finding the property lines; a city permit does not confirm the fence is on the owner's lot.

"It shall be the duty of each property owner to determine property lines and to ascertain that the fence thus constructed does not deviate from the plans"

Source: ecode360.com

A fence in a drainage, access or utility easement needs prior written consent or release, and proof must be submitted with the permit application.

"Proof of consent shall be submitted at the time of application for any associated permit."

Source: ecode360.com

Residential fences may not be wire mesh, barbed wire, electrically charged, or topped with sharp-edged material; chain link is allowed in rear or side yards and must be coated if visible from the street.

"Residential district fences shall not be constructed of wire mesh, barbed wire, electrically charged fence, or topped with sharp-edged material."

Source: ecode360.com

Posts must be on the inside of the fenced property and the finished side must face outward.

"All supporting poles must be placed on the inside of the property where the fence is erected, and the finished side must face out away from the property."

Source: ecode360.com