Is a permit required?
A permit from the director of community development is required for any fence higher than two feet.
"No person shall erect a fence higher than two feet (2') without having first received a permit from the director of community development."
Source: library.municode.com
The Village says a Fence Permit Application is needed when installing any type of fence, and contractors must hold a Schaumburg Contractor's Business License before the permit is issued.
"When installing any type of fence on your premises, a Fence Permit Application must be submitted accompanied by the requirements below."
Source: villageofschaumburg.com
How to apply
Submit the Residential Building Permit application online with a high-resolution scanned plat of survey (photos are rejected) with the fence location highlighted.
"Plat of Survey must be scanned at high resolution settings, photos will be rejected"
Source: villageofschaumburg.com
Questions and inspection scheduling go to the Permitting Division of the Community Development Department at 847-923-4420; a string line inspection and the final inspection happen together.
"String Line and Final inspection performed at the same time"
Source: villageofschaumburg.com
What it costs
How tall it can be in back and side yards
Perimeter fences in the side and rear yard, behind the front of the house, must be open or semi-open and no taller than five feet.
"These fences may be open or semiopen and no greater than five feet (5') in height when measured along the vertical from the surface of the ground to the highest point on the fence."
Source: library.municode.com
Privacy fences up to six feet are allowed only around patios or decks, extending up to 16 feet into the rear yard from the back of the house, made of wood, masonry or a comparable material.
"Privacy fences of solid, semiopen or open type up to a maximum of six feet (6') in height will be allowed around patios and/or decks up to sixteen feet (16') into the rear yard"
Source: library.municode.com
A six-foot solid or semi-open fence is allowed only along lot lines next to parks, recreation areas, schools, multifamily, manufacturing, business or office property, or a parking lot, and for homes on named arterial roads only on the side that abuts the road.
"A six-foot (6') solid or semi-open fence will be allowed in residential districts along property lines only contiguous to parks, recreational areas or schools"
Source: library.municode.com
Fence height is measured vertically from grade to the top of a typical section; posts may rise up to eight inches above the limit, and the grade may not be altered to gain height.
"Posts used specifically for supporting a fence may exceed the applicable fence height limit by a maximum of eight inches (8")"
Source: library.municode.com
Front yards and corner lots
No fence may be built in a front yard beyond the front of the building, and on corner lots no fence may go beyond the required building setback line on either side.
"No fence shall be constructed in a front yard beyond the front of the building at any point. On corner lots, no fence shall be erected beyond the required building setback line on either side."
Source: library.municode.com
Property lines and surveys
A perimeter fence must be within six inches of the property line, or farther in only if access is provided to maintain the strip outside the fence and for utility work.
"Perimeter fences constructed within the village must be within six inches (6") of the property line."
Source: library.municode.com
The application needs a sketch of the fence with material and dimensions plus a plat of survey showing the fence location, and the Village asks for a string line along the boundary that stays up until the final inspection.
"An application for permit shall contain a sketch of the proposed fence, indicating the material to be used, the dimensions of the proposed fence and a plat of survey with the location of the fence on the lot."
Source: library.municode.com
What is not allowed
Barbed wire, electric fences and fences or walls with spikes, broken glass or sharp points are prohibited in residential areas.
"No hazardous type fence that can cause injuries will be permitted to be erected or maintained within the village, such as barbed wire and electric fences"
Source: library.municode.com
Chain link fences with slats are prohibited.
"Chain link fences with slats are prohibited."
Source: villageofschaumburg.com
The finished side of the fence must face neighboring properties or the public right-of-way, and no fence may impede natural surface water drainage.
"Fence posts and related supporting structures shall be erected so that the finished side or sides of the fence shall face the neighboring properties or public right-of-way."
Source: library.municode.com
Pool fences
Fences around swimming pools must meet the requirements of Title 15, Chapters 153 and 154 of the Village code (the numbers are in those chapters, not in the fence chapter).
"Construction and placement of fences around swimming pools shall meet all requirements of title 15, chapters 153 and 154 of this Code."
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 Schaumburg. Rules change, and some neighborhoods and HOAs have their own. Confirm with the city before you build. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
Fence companies that serve Schaumburg
- Wood fences
- Vinyl (PVC) fences
- Chain link
