Fence Installation Permits in Aurora

Local Rule

City of Aurora Building Division; Aurora City Code Section 22

Aurora's own Building Code (Section 22-135) exempts fences not over 7 feet high, and all chain-link fences of any height, from a building permit; this directly contradicts several secondary sources claiming Aurora requires a permit for every fence installation, so this entry follows the city's own code text. Zoning under the Unified Development Ordinance caps fence height generally at 9 feet (except for oil/gas perimeter screening and sound walls); front yards are commonly cited at 42 inches maximum and side/rear yards up to 6 feet, with corner-lot and through-lot fences facing additional restrictions. Wood fence posts must be pressure-treated (except cedar or redwood) and set in circular concrete bases at least 2 feet deep for fences over 42 inches. No fence, wall, or planting is allowed within 5 feet of a fire hydrant or Fire Department connection without written Fire/Life Safety approval.

Source · Verified September 2026

Aurora Building Department

Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.

How This Compares to Kane County

Aurora's own rule is shown above (No permit under 7 sqft). Here is the separate rule that applies at the county level, for context:

Kane County, IL Building & Zoning Division

Kane County uses an unusual test in its unincorporated areas: whether you need a permit depends on whether the fence is see-through. A PRIVACY fence, defined as one that cannot be viewed through or over, requires a building permit; a fence you CAN see through, such as chain-link or split-rail, does NOT require a building-department permit (though it may still need a Storm-water Permit from Water Resources, 630-232-3497). Two more distinctive points: Kane County currently sets NO maximum height for fences (they must simply be structurally sound and stable), and a fence may be placed right up to the lot line with the finished side facing either direction. Restrictions still apply: within 100 feet of the centerline of an intersecting road, street, or railroad at grade, no view-obstructing fence or hedge is allowed (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 7.5-3); fences are strongly discouraged in utility easements and not allowed in drainage easements or the floodway (floodplain fences need Kane County W

See the full county page

Nearby Cities with Verified Rules

Other cities near Aurora with a confirmed fence installation rule:

FAQs

Building It Yourself? Here's What You'll Need

Popular tools and materials homeowners use for a fence installation project:

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.