VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE
50 Raupp Boulevard, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 (847)459-2530 / Fax (847)459-7944
FENCES
 A permit is required to construct or replace any fence 
Fence permits are required whenever you install a new fence or replace an existing fence.
The permit application must include the following information:

homeowner's name, address, total cost of fence installation, name, address, and
telephone number of the general contractor, length and height of fence, and the
type of fence that is being installed.
Provide two (2) copies of the plat of survey for your property indicating the location of the fence
marked with X's (XXXXX) in black ink. If the fence is to have multiple heights, please clearly
identify the height at each location.
Note that the finished side of the fence must face out. Fence posts, including decorative fence
post caps, shall not extend above the height of the fence by more than (8) eight inches. Fencing
material that is over (5) five feet in height shall be of a design that is open so as to allow visibility
perpendicular or tangentially through the fence when moving along a plane parallel to the fence,
including but not by way of limitation, board on board; shadowbox; picket or any other style of
fencing that allows open visibility through the fencing material. Fence posts for fences over (5)
five feet in height shall extend 42 inches below grade, or be secured to a pier which extends 42
inches below grade. A post hole inspection is required. Call when the holes are dug and we will
send an inspector out to verify the depth. Inspections are done between 8:00AM- 2:30PM.
The following fence restrictions apply in residential districts:
A.
B.
C.
Fences may be erected, placed and maintained to a height not to exceed six (6)
feet above ground level. No fence shall be located nearer to the street than the
front line of the building. It shall be permissible to erect a fence on a lot up to the
lot line at the rear of a lot where the front and rear of the lot are both on a street.
No fence may be erected to a height exceeding three (3) feet above the street
grade within forty-five (45) feet of the intersection of any curblines or street lines
projected.
Fences may be erected, placed and maintained on corner lots to a height not to
exceed six (6) feet above ground level. No such fence shall be located nearer to
any street than the building setback line.
Either solid or open style fences may be erected, placed and maintained around
patios to a height not to exceed six (6) feet above ground level or six (6) feet
above a wood deck. No such screening structure shall be located nearer to any
interior lot line than permitted for the main building.
D.
Either solid or open style fences, to a height not to exceed six (6) feet, may be
erected, placed and maintained along a shared lot line between residentially
zoned property and;
1. Nonresidentially zoned property;
2. Major streets and highways while maintaining a min. twelve (12) inches
between the fence and any sidewalk (as defined in the village
transportation plan); or
3. A railroad right-of-way.
In addition to the Fence Code, there may be special conditions for the area in which you live that
may restrict the size, type, height or location of your proposed fence or may prohibit fencing
altogether.
If prior approval of any homeowners, condominium, or town home association is required, proof
of that approval must be submitted at the time of application.
Note: No fence is allowed in any rear yard that abuts a golf course.
Exceptions:
1.
A four (4) foot high fence is allowed on the property line if it is to be used in
conjunction with an in-ground swimming pool requiring such fencing. In
such cases a permit for the erection of a four (4) foot high fence will be
issued with the in-ground swimming pool permit, as long as they comply
with Village regulations, including but not by way of limitation, the Village
building code.
2.
A four (4) foot high fence is allowed, not to exceed a distance of six (6) feet
from the edge of an above-ground swimming pool or hot tub/spa requiring
such fencing. In such cases a permit for the erection of a four (4) foot high
fence will be issued with the above-ground swimming pool or hot tub/spa
permit, as long as they comply with Village regulations, including but not by
way of limitation, the Village building code.
3.
Patio and deck screens are permitted provided they are attached or
adjacent to the patio or deck and do not exceed four (4) feet in height.
4.
Fencing for dog runs is permitted, provided it is attached and does not
extend more than ten (10) feet from the rear of the house, and does not
exceed four (4) feet in height.
Call J.U.L.I.E. (Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators) forty-eight (48) hours before you
dig. This is to verify location of underground utilities in the area. The service is provided to you at
no charge.
When calling J.U.L.I.E. at 1-800-892-0123, the following information about the proposed work
location will be requested: county, township, section number, and quarter section. This
information can be obtained from the legal description on your plat of survey.
Due to the uniqueness of each installation, additional information may be required. It is the
responsibility of the property owner to ensure that a permit has been secured prior to
commencing any work. This information is being provided to help guide you through the permit
process.
06/13/11