Navigating Elmhurst Fence Codes

Elmhurst has clear regulations to ensure neighborhood safety and aesthetic harmony. We handle every technical detail for you:

• Height & Styling Regulations:

  • Rear & Side Yards: Maximum height of 6 feet (solid privacy styles allowed).

  • Front Yards: Maximum height of 3 feet for solid fences or 4 feet for open designs (at least 75% open, such as picket or ornamental aluminum).

  • Abutting Railroads: If your property abuts a railroad or Federal highway, we can install fences up to 8 feet tall in the rear yard for enhanced sound and privacy.

• The "Finished Side" Policy: Per City Ordinance, the decorative "good side" of the fence must face outwardtoward your neighbors or the street.

• Vision Triangle Safety: To protect pedestrians and motorists, we ensure no fence exceeds 3 feet in height within the 10-foot vision triangle at driveways and alleys, or within 30 feet of a street intersection.

• Decorative Posts: Elmhurst allows decorative post caps to extend up to 9 inches above the maximum fence height, adding a custom, finished look to your property.

 

Hardscaping: Patios & Tree Protection

In Elmhurst, hardscaping requires careful planning to protect the City's famous tree canopy and manage drainage.

• Permit Management: We handle the $118 patio permit and coordinate the mandatory Pre-pour and Final inspections.

• Tree & Parkway Protection: Elmhurst is strict about protecting trees during construction. If we are working near parkway trees, we install the required orange snow-fence protection with 2x4 wood top rails to prevent root damage, as mandated by the Forestry Division.

• Drainage Setbacks: We ensure all patios respect property line setbacks to maintain the natural flow of stormwater, preventing pooling on your or your neighbors' lots.

 

Seasonal Cleanups: The "Republic Services" Schedule

We time our maintenance to match Elmhurst’s waste collection through Republic Services:

• April to December Yard Waste: We manage the bagging of leaves and debris for the Village's collection season (April 1st through the first week of December).

• Free Fall Leaf Pick-Up: We coordinate our major fall cleanups to take advantage of the two free leaf collection cycles provided by the City (no stickers required).

• Brush Bundling: We handle the pruning and bundling. Every week, the City collects two bundles of brush for free. We ensure they are cut to 4-foot lengths and tied with biodegradable twine.

• Organic Composting: If you utilize the City’s organic toter, we help process yard waste and food scraps together for a greener footprint.

 

Why Choose Panorama for your Elmhurst Home?

• Licensed & Registered: We are a bonded contractor with the Elmhurst Community Development Department.

• Digital Convenience: we use the CSSP Portal to track your permit and schedule inspections, providing you with real-time updates.

• Frost-Proof Stability: We sink our posts to a minimum of 36-42 inches to resist the heavy frost heaves common in DuPage County.

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Official Elmhurst Resources

• City of Elmhurst Community Development: Official Website

• Permit Fee Schedule: 2025-2026 Fees (PDF)

• Phone: (630) 530-3030 | Address: 209 N. York Street, Elmhurst, IL 60126