Check this with the city: Naperville's fence page and its municipal code give different clearances around utility pedestals (3 feet and 5 feet). The fee schedule the city links is from 2019, so the fee may have changed.
Is a permit required?
Naperville Municipal Code 6-2-12 requires a fence permit fee for every fence over 3 feet high, paid before the fence is built (so fences over 3 feet need a permit).
"A fence permit fee in accordance with Subsection 1-9H-1.3.7 of this Code shall be paid for all fences exceeding three (3) feet in height before a fence is erected on any property within the City."
Source: library.municode.com
How to apply
Fence permits are applied for through the city's Civic Access online portal, designed for use on a desktop or laptop.
"To apply for a fence permit, please visit the Civic Access portal."
Source: naperville.il.us
Double-fronting lots (streets on two sides, not corner lots) need a gate to each right-of-way.
"Double-fronting lots (lots with streets on two sides), except corner lots, must have a gate installed for access to each right-of-way."
Source: naperville.il.us
Call JULIE at least 48 hours before digging.
"Call JULIE (underground utility locators) at least 48 hours before you dig: (24-hour toll free: 1-800-892-0123)."
Source: naperville.il.us
What it costs
The city's residential fee schedule (updated 5/1/2019, still linked from the fence permit page) lists a fence at $88: $18 clerical fee plus $26 permit fee, plus $44 per inspection with 1 inspection minimum.
"Fence ($88) $18 clerical fee + $26 permit fee $44/inspection (1 minimum)"
Source: naperville.il.us
How tall it can be in back and side yards
Fences may not exceed 6 feet, except up to 9 feet along major arterial roadways.
"Fences may not exceed six feet (6') in height. However, fences along major arterial roadways may be constructed up to nine feet (9') in height."
Source: naperville.il.us
Code 6-2-12:1.4: fences up to 6 feet are allowed in the required interior side and rear yards, but may not extend nearer a front lot line than the nearest wall of the house.
"Fences up to six (6) feet in height shall be permitted in the required interior side yard or rear yard"
Source: library.municode.com
Front yards and corner lots
Behind the front or corner side yard lot lines, fences up to 3 feet are allowed.
"Fences not exceeding three (3) feet in height may be constructed and maintained at any point behind the front or corner side yard lot lines."
Source: library.municode.com
Open fences up to 4 feet are allowed at the front or corner side yard lot line.
"Open fences, as defined in Section 6-1-6 (Definitions), not exceeding four (4) feet in height may be constructed and maintained at the front or corner side yard lot line."
Source: library.municode.com
A fence over 3 feet high may not extend nearer the front lot line than the front of the house.
"However, a fence over three feet (3') high may not extend nearer to a front lot line than the front facade of the principal building."
Source: naperville.il.us
Corner lots: fences up to 6 feet are allowed behind the corner side yard line, but not forward of the house wall facing the front yard.
"Fences not exceeding six (6) feet in height may be constructed and maintained at any point behind the corner side yard line"
Source: library.municode.com
Corners and driveways
Corner lots have a 30-foot sight triangle where buildings or structures and landscaping may not block drivers' view (the code says structures; ask the city whether a low fence is allowed inside it).
"within a triangular area determined by a diagonal line connecting two (2) points measured along the property lines of the abutting streets thirty (30) feet equidistant from the intersection of those property lines"
Source: library.municode.com
Property lines and surveys
Fences may be placed up to the property line.
"Fences may be placed up to the property line."
Source: naperville.il.us
The application needs a copy of the plat of survey with the fence placement drawn on it.
"A copy of the Plat of Survey (draw fence placement on copies of plat)."
Source: naperville.il.us
What is not allowed
The finished side of the fence must face away from the lot it is built on.
"The finished side of the fence must face away from the lot on which it is constructed."
Source: naperville.il.us
Pool fences
The city's fence style guide says that for a pool barrier, horizontal rails must be at least 45 inches apart (no other pool-fence rule found).
"Horizontal rails shall be no less than 45” apart"
Source: naperville.il.us
Other rules
Code 6-2-12:1.12.2 requires 5 feet of clearance between a fence and all sides of an electrical pedestal, with a removable section or gate if that is not possible.
"Five (5) feet of clearance shall be maintained between any fence and all sides of an electrical pedestal."
Source: library.municode.com
The fence permit page says a transformer needs 5 feet of clearance on all sides and a removable section or gate in front of the locked side.
"A five-foot (5') clearance on all sides, with a removable fence (pins) or gate in front of the side in which the transformer opens (side with lock)."
Source: naperville.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 Naperville. Rules change, and some neighborhoods and HOAs have their own. Confirm with the city before you build. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
