Check this with the city: Chicago has posted that permit fees change on January 1, 2027. Check the current fee before you apply.
Is a permit required?
No building permit is needed to install a fence that is no more than 5 feet above the ground (measured on both sides) and that conforms to the Zoning Ordinance.
"Installing a fence that is no more than 5 feet above the ground (measured on both sides) and that conforms to the Chicago Zoning Ordinance"
Source: chicago.gov
Repairs are also exempt: painting an existing fence or replacing limited damaged elements does not need a building permit.
"Maintaining an existing fence by painting or replacing limited damaged elements"
Source: chicago.gov
A fence taller than 5 feet needs a permit (an Express Permit).
"An express permit for fence work is required to install any fence greater than 5 feet high."
Source: chicago.gov
Work done without a permit under the exemption must still meet all Chicago Construction Codes, and the city says to ask at the Department of Buildings counter when unsure.
"Any work performed without a building permit, as allowed by Section 14A-4-402 of the Municipal Code, must still comply with all applicable requirements of the Chicago Construction Codes."
Source: chicago.gov
The no-permit exceptions may not apply to a Chicago Landmark property or a Landmark district.
"These exceptions may not apply to work on a property that is a proposed or designated Chicago Landmark or part of a proposed or designated Chicago Landmark district."
Source: chicago.gov
How to apply
Fence permits are applied for online through the Department of Buildings Express Permit Program, which also handles payment and inspection status.
"The Express Permit Program provides a fully web-enabled platform for customers to apply, check status, pay fees, and view inspection status for building permits"
Source: chicago.gov
Most fence applications need no uploaded documents; a fence taller than 6 feet needs an official survey and a site plan.
"Most applications of this type do not require any documents to be uploaded."
Source: chicago.gov
The Express Permit application requires a licensed general contractor (Class A to E); in some cases an owner may act as general contractor.
"A licensed general contractor (Class A, B, C, D, or E)"
Source: chicago.gov
What it costs
Permit fee for a fence up to 6 feet high (any material except masonry) is $75.
"Installation of fence up to 6 feet high, any length, any material except masonry |No |No |$75"
Source: codelibrary.amlegal.com
Permit fee for a fence over 6 feet high is $300 (drawings and zoning fee also required).
"Installation of fence over 6 feet high, any length, any material |Yes |Yes |$300"
Source: codelibrary.amlegal.com
How tall it can be in back and side yards
In general, fences on residential properties are limited to 6 feet in height.
"In general, fences on residential properties are limited to 6 feet in height."
Source: chicago.gov
Under the zoning table, a solid (more than 20% opaque) fence up to 6 feet is allowed in side and rear setbacks but not in the front setback.
"Fences and walls (more than 20% opaque or solid) up to 6 feet in height | No | Yes | Yes"
Source: codelibrary.amlegal.com
The Express Permit Program covers a backyard fence up to 6 feet tall, and a fence up to 15 feet tall with zoning approval.
"Installing a backyard fence, up to 6 feet tall"
Source: chicago.gov
Front yards and corner lots
In the required front setback of a residential property, a fence that is more than 20 percent opaque or solid is limited to 54 inches (4.5 feet).
"Fences in the required front setback of residential properties are limited to 54 inches in height if they are more than 20 percent opaque or solid."
Source: chicago.gov
A front yard fence up to 6 feet is allowed if it is at least 80% open (see-through).
"Installing a front yard fence up to 6 feet tall, so long as the fence is at least 80% open"
Source: chicago.gov
Zoning table: fences up to 6 feet that are no more than 20% opaque are allowed in front, side and rear setbacks.
"Fences and walls (no more than 20% opaque) up to 6 feet in height | Yes | Yes | Yes"
Source: codelibrary.amlegal.com
Property lines and surveys
When a survey is required (fences over 6 feet), it must be an official survey by an Illinois-licensed land surveyor, no more than 5 years old.
"Official surveys must be prepared by an Illinois-licensed land surveyor and be no more than 5 years old."
Source: chicago.gov
What is not allowed
Barbed wire and razor wire cannot be installed under the express permit unless described in the application, and never lower than 7 feet above the ground.
"Barbed wire and razor wire may not be installed less than 7 feet above the ground."
Source: chicago.gov
An electrified fence is not covered by the fence permit.
"This permit does not allow installation of an electrified fence or any other electrical work."
Source: chicago.gov
Walls of stone, concrete, clay brick or structural tile may only be installed by a Chicago-licensed mason contractor.
"Walls constructed of stone, concrete, terra cotta (including clay brick), structural tile, or any combination of these materials may only be installed by a Chicago-licensed mason contractor."
Source: chicago.gov
Other rules
Fence height is measured from the lowest ground within 12 inches on either side of the fence to the top, not counting posts (posts may exceed it by up to 6 inches).
"The permitted height is measured from the lowest surface within 12 inches horizontally on either side of the fence to the highest point of the fence, excluding fence posts."
Source: chicago.gov
A fence on or over a public street, alley, sidewalk or parkway generally needs a separate public way use permit from a different department (BACP).
"generally requires a separate public way use permit from the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP)"
Source: chicago.gov
If the property is part of a condominium association, the permit application must include an approval letter from the association (this is the only HOA-type rule the city states).
"Condominium association approval letter"
Source: chicago.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 Chicago. Rules change, and some neighborhoods and HOAs have their own. Confirm with the city before you build. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
