Check this with the city: Bolingbrook's fence handout and its newer fee schedule list different fees. Confirm the current fee with the Building Division.
Is a permit required?
A building permit is required to build, erect or replace a fence on private property in Bolingbrook.
"It is unlawful to construct, erect or replace on private property in the village any fence or wall, as defined in this chapter, without first obtaining a building permit."
Source: library.municode.com
How to apply
Building permits are applied for through the Village's online Permit Portal.
"To apply for a building permit or check the status of an existing application, visit the Village's Permit Portal."
Source: bolingbrook.gov
Residential fence permits are the one permit type that skips the village's inspections.
"All approved permits, with the exception of residential Fence Permits, are subject to inspections"
Source: bolingbrook.gov
What it costs
The village fee schedule revised 4/14/26 lists a Fence line of $30.00 under one- and two-family residential permits.
"Fence 30.00"
Source: bolingbrook.gov
The older fence permit handout (dated 04.01.22) lists a $60.00 fee, paid when the application is submitted.
"FEE: $60.00"
Source: bolingbrook.gov
How tall it can be in back and side yards
Residential fences may not exceed 6 feet unless otherwise specified; interior side yard fences have no setback from the side line.
"All fencing shall not exceed six feet in height, unless otherwise specified."
Source: library.municode.com
Front yards and corner lots
Front yard fences must be decorative and at least 80 percent open.
"Decorative fencing only shall be permitted within the front yard. No such fence shall be permitted unless 80 percent of the area of the fence is open."
Source: library.municode.com
Front yard fences may not exceed 3 feet in height.
"All fencing shall not exceed three feet in height."
Source: library.municode.com
Front yard fence length may not exceed 50 percent of the lot width.
"The total length of such fence shall not exceed 50 percent of the width of the lot on which it is located, as measured at the front property line."
Source: library.municode.com
Corner side yard fences must be set back 10 feet from the property line, unless 3 feet or less in height, in which case they can be 1 foot from the line.
"All fences located within a corner side yard shall be setback a minimum of ten feet from the property line, unless the fence is three feet or less in height"
Source: library.municode.com
Corners and driveways
No fence may be inside the vision triangle at street corners; the triangle's sides are 15 feet for residential property.
"The length of the sides of the triangle shall be 15 feet for residential property and 30 feet for nonresidential property."
Source: library.municode.com
Property lines and surveys
Interior side yard fences have no setback from the interior side property line.
"Fences in an interior side yard are not subject to a setback requirement from the interior side property line."
Source: library.municode.com
A current plat of survey showing the proposed fence location must be submitted with the application.
"A current plat of survey indicating the proposed location of the fence on the lot."
Source: bolingbrook.gov
What is not allowed
The finished side of a fence must face a public street or neighboring properties.
"All fences shall be constructed so that the finished side of the fence faces a public street or neighboring properties."
Source: library.municode.com
Allowed materials include wood, chain link (11 gauge or heavier), plastic or PVC; chicken wire and snow fencing are not acceptable.
"using materials such as wood, chain link (minimum 11 gauge wire or heavier), plastic or PVC. Chicken wire and snow fencing shall not be an acceptable construction material for permanent fences."
Source: library.municode.com
Electrically charged wire, barbed wire, spikes, glass and other sharp materials are prohibited.
"All fences or walls constructed in whole or in part of electrically charged current or wire, barbed wire, spikes, glass, protruding nails, or other sharp or pointed material of any kind, or designed to cause injury."
Source: library.municode.com
Pool fences
Swimming pools must be fully enclosed by a fence at least 48 inches high around the pool or whole yard, with only lockable gates.
"Must be completely enclosed by a fence at least 48 inches in height which surrounds the pool or the entire yard"
Source: bolingbrook.gov
Other rules
The code requires an HOA approval letter with the permit application if the lot is under a declaration of covenants.
"no permit shall be issued for such fence unless the permit application is accompanied by a letter from the association or other authorized entity administering the declaration"
Source: library.municode.com
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 Bolingbrook. Rules change, and some neighborhoods and HOAs have their own. Confirm with the city before you build. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
