Park Forest — Ch. 18 Art. III Housing § 18-351
Definitions
Operative Text
(a) The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this division shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Decorative fence means a wall or partition that does not cause an enclosure through the use of materials placed less than six inches apart and does not extend over more than 50 percent of the frontage of any lot or exceed 36 inches in height. Fence means a structure, wall or partition erected for the purpose of enclosing a parcel of land and not a decorative fence. Living fence means a row or hedge of bushes or shrubs. (b) For purposes of this division, all other words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in section 118-7 of the village zoning ordinance. Cross reference-- Definitions generally, § 1-2 .
Section 18-351 of Park Forest's Housing Code establishes the specific meanings of key terms used throughout the fencing division. It distinguishes between a 'decorative fence' (a low, open structure covering limited frontage), a 'fence' (a structure intended to enclose land), and a 'living fence' (a hedge or row of shrubs). Any terms not defined here default to the definitions found in section 118-7 of the village zoning ordinance.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 18-351, property owners and managers should be aware that the type of boundary structure on a property — whether a standard fence, a decorative fence, or a living fence — carries a specific legal definition that determines which rules apply. A decorative fence, for instance, must use materials spaced less than six inches apart, cover no more than half the lot frontage, and stand no taller than 36 inches to qualify under that category. Operators generally confirm which definition applies to their structure before proceeding with installation or modifications to ensure compliance with the broader fencing division.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 18-351 provides the foundational definitions that govern how fencing rules are applied throughout this division of Park Forest's Housing Code. Tenants who have concerns about a fence or hedge on their rental property — such as whether it constitutes an enclosure or meets height limits — can reference these definitions to better understand how the rules are framed. Tenant-rights organizations or the village's housing department can be consulted for guidance on how these definitions interact with other provisions in the code.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation