Is a permit required?
No permit is required to install a residential fence in the City of Champaign, but zoning rules still apply.
"No permit is required to install a fence in the City of Champaign."
Source: champaignil.gov
The Building Safety Division also lists fences as exempt from building permits.
"Work exempt from permits includes sheds not exceeding 120 square feet, fences"
Source: champaignil.gov
How to apply
No application is needed, but the city tells homeowners to call JULIE (811) before digging.
"Contact J.U.L.I.E. BEFORE you Dig!"
Source: champaignil.gov
What it costs
There is no permit and so no permit fee for a residential fence.
"No permit is required to install a fence in the City of Champaign."
Source: champaignil.gov
How tall it can be in back and side yards
Side and rear yard fences can be up to 8 feet tall.
"Around the rest of the perimeter of your property (side & rear) the height limit is 8-feet."
Source: champaignil.gov
Front yards and corner lots
In the front yard setback area the limit is 3 feet for a solid fence and 6 feet for a transparent fence.
"the height limit is 3-feet for a solid fence and 6-feet for a transparent fence."
Source: champaignil.gov
The front yard setback area runs from the front wall of the house to the front property line (about 1 foot back from the sidewalk if there is one).
"from the front wall of your house up to the front property line"
Source: champaignil.gov
Corners and driveways
Champaign Code section 37-195: at street corners no structure of any kind may be inside the sight triangle (the city fence page does not mention it).
"no parking or structure of any kind shall be located within the sight triangle"
Source: library.municode.com
Section 37-195: landscaping in the sight triangle is limited to shrubs 3 feet or lower or high-branching deciduous trees.
"Landscaping in this area shall either be shrubs at a height of three (3) feet or less or deciduous trees from the approved plant list, with branches having a clearance of six (6) feet."
Source: library.municode.com
Property lines and surveys
A fence may be built right up to the property line but must not cross it.
"You may build your fence right up to the property line, but you must not cross over the line."
Source: champaignil.gov
Zoning code section 37-221(a)(i), Projections and encroachments into setbacks, allows fences up to the property line.
"Fences may be built up to the property line."
Source: library.municode.com
What is not allowed
Barbed wire, electrified fences and sharp spikes are prohibited.
"Use of barbed wire, electrified fences, or sharp spikes are prohibited."
Source: champaignil.gov
There is no city rule about which side of a wooden fence faces out.
"The City of Champaign has no rules regarding which side of a wooden fence faces in or out."
Source: champaignil.gov
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 Champaign. Rules change, and some neighborhoods and HOAs have their own. Confirm with the city before you build. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
