What happens if you skip the permit (and you needed one)
- Stop-work order and $250–$500 fine from the Building Department, plus mandatory tear-down if the fence violates sight-line or setback rules — not negotiable on corner lots.
- Insurance claim denial: homeowner's and property liability policies often exclude unpermitted structures, leaving you liable for injury ($50,000+ if someone is injured at the fence line).
- Title cloud and resale disclosure: Indiana Real Estate Transfer Disclosure must flag unpermitted improvements; buyer's lender will require removal or retroactive permit before closing, killing the deal or forcing a $3,000–$8,000 retrofit.
- Neighbor complaint escalation: Schererville enforces code violations on sight-line complaints; citation can require removal within 30 days or incur $100–$150/day penalties.
Schererville fence permits — the key details
Schererville's permit threshold for fences is straightforward on paper but strict in enforcement. Fences (wood, vinyl, chain-link) under 6 feet in rear or side yards are permit-exempt, provided they do not encroach on a recorded easement or violate setback rules. Fences 6 feet or taller require a permit anywhere on the property. Masonry fences (brick, stone, concrete block) over 4 feet require a permit and structural engineering if they exceed 6 feet or incorporate a footing below the 36-inch frost line. Front-yard fences of any height require a permit due to sight-distance rules — Schererville applies a triangular sight easement at corner lots and at any property line visible from a public street, per local zoning ordinance. The city does not grandfather or fast-track replacement-in-kind fences; if the original fence was unpermitted or non-compliant, the replacement must meet current code. Pool barriers (swimming pool, hot tub, pond over 24 inches deep) require a permit regardless of height and must incorporate a self-closing, self-latching gate mechanism per Indiana's swimming pool code, with a functioning lock rated to prevent child entry.
Schererville's specific friction point is the corner-lot sight triangle. The city defines a 25-foot sight distance along each street frontage (measured from the point of intersection of the street lines). Any fence, landscaping, or structure taller than 3 feet within that triangle is prohibited unless set back at least 10 feet from the property line. This rule applies even to rear-corner-lot fences visible from the side street, and the city enforces it aggressively after complaints. Before you pull a permit for a corner-lot fence, even a 4-foot privacy screen, request a sight-triangle diagram from the Building Department or hire a surveyor to mark the limits. Many homeowners underestimate setback and incur a permit denial or, worse, a tear-down order after the fence is built. Additionally, Schererville requires a property-line dimension sheet on all applications. This is not a formal survey, but it must show the fence location relative to the lot lines, dimensions to existing structures (house, shed, driveway), and confirmation of any easement locations. Obtain a copy of your recorded plat (available through the Lake County Recorder's Office online) and annotate it or submit a simple sketch from a surveyor ($150–$300); the city will not accept estimates.
Easement discovery is critical in Schererville. The area sits on a patchwork of utility (electric, gas, phone), drainage, and sanitary-sewer easements. Many properties have a 10- or 15-foot utility easement along the rear or side lot line, recorded on the plat but not always visible on the ground. If your proposed fence runs within the easement, NIPSCO (Northern Indiana Public Service Company), Peoples Utilities, or the local drainage board can demand removal at your cost. The Building Department will request an easement search as part of plan review; you can preempt this by visiting the Lake County Recorder's Office (online portal available) and pulling your property record. If an easement exists and your fence conflicts, contact the utility or drainage authority for a waiver or relocation consent in writing before submitting your application. Drainage easements are especially common south of the karst line (the city's lower elevation zone), where stormwater detention and subsurface soil conditions are sensitive. The Building Department will ask for a statement confirming no easement conflict; without it, expect a 1-2 week delay.
Frost depth and footing requirements affect masonry fences and tall metal fences. Schererville is in climate zone 5A with a 36-inch frost depth. If you are building a masonry fence over 4 feet tall, the footing must be below 36 inches to prevent frost heave and settlement. Wood and vinyl fences under 6 feet do not typically require an engineered footing, but posts should be set at least 30 inches deep and in concrete to meet the frost line and resist frost thrust. The Building Department will inspect the footing if the fence is masonry or over 6 feet; for routine rear-yard wood/vinyl fences under 6 feet, a final inspection is typically the only requirement (the inspector eyeballs height, setback, and gate function if applicable, no footing dig). If you pour footings, keep the concrete receipts and photos; the inspector will ask for evidence of depth.
The permit process in Schererville is split between over-the-counter (OTC) and plan-review applications. Under-6-foot rear/side-yard non-masonry fences with no sight-line issues and clear easement status can often be approved same-day or next-day OTC if you bring a complete application (fence dimensions, material spec, property-line sketch, and an easement-clear statement). Permit fees are $75–$150 depending on linear footage and material; the city charges a flat $75 for under 100 linear feet, then $1 per additional foot. Front-yard, corner-lot, masonry, over-6-foot, and pool-barrier applications go to Plan Review, which takes 2-3 weeks. You will need to resubmit after any comments (revision round-trips add 5-7 days). Once approved, the permit is valid for 6 months; if you do not start construction, you must renew. Inspections are scheduled online through the city's permit portal or by phone. Final inspection (the only mandatory inspection for most residential fences) is typically completed within 3-5 business days of request. If the fence passes, you receive a sign-off letter; if not, you get a correction notice with 14 days to remedy.
Three Schererville fence (wood/vinyl/metal/chain-link) scenarios
Schererville's corner-lot sight-line rule and why it matters
Schererville strictly enforces the sight-triangle rule at corner lots because of traffic safety and accident liability. The rule is codified in the city's zoning ordinance and applies to any property at the intersection of two public streets. The sight triangle is a geometric area defined by a 25-foot measurement along each street frontage from the point where the street lines intersect. Any structure (fence, wall, landscaping, sign, car) taller than 3 feet within that triangle is prohibited unless set back at least 10 feet from the property line. This is not a suggestion; the Building Department enforces it on complaint and will issue a violation notice demanding removal if an unpermitted fence is found in the triangle.
Why so strict? A driver approaching the intersection needs an unobstructed view of the cross street and oncoming traffic. A 5-foot fence blocking that sightline can hide a child, a pedestrian, or another vehicle until it is too late. The city has liability exposure if an accident occurs at a corner lot with a sight-blocking fence that the city was aware of and did not enforce. Consequently, Schererville's Plan Review Committee treats corner-lot fence applications as high-scrutiny: any fence visible from the street must be justified with a sight-triangle diagram, and even then, approval is conditional on height-stepping or setback relief that does not impair sightlines.
The practical impact is that many corner-lot homeowners cannot build a tall fence where they want it. If your corner lot is shallow (say, 100 feet deep), and your front setback is 25 feet, the sight triangle eats up another 25 feet, leaving you with only 50 feet of usable rear depth — not much room for a privacy fence. Solutions include: (1) stepping the fence height (3 feet in the triangle, 5-6 feet behind it), (2) using a see-through material like vinyl or chain-link in the triangle (does not obstruct sightlines even if tall), or (3) setting the fence 10+ feet back from the property line (if lot size allows). A surveyor or the Building Department can provide a sight-triangle diagram (free from the city, $150–$300 from a private surveyor). Budget for this upfront before you design or price the fence.
Easements, utilities, and why Schererville cares about your plat
Schererville sits on a complex grid of utility and drainage easements. NIPSCO (electrical, gas) owns easements along many residential property lines. Peoples Utilities (water, sewer) has easements in or near backyards. The city's Stormwater Department has drainage easements, especially in lower-elevation (karst) areas south of Illinois Street where subsurface limestone can cause settling and requires maintained drainage corridors. When you propose a fence, the Building Department asks: Does your fence encroach on or restrict access to any recorded easement? If yes, the utility or drainage authority can demand removal, and you will bear the cost.
The city's solution is to require a property-line dimension sheet and easement-clear statement before permit issuance. This is not a formal ALTA survey (which costs $500–$800), but it must show your lot boundaries, the fence location relative to those boundaries, and confirmation that no recorded easement is affected. You can obtain your lot's recorded plat from the Lake County Recorder's Office online (free digital access, or $5–$10 for a certified copy). Most plats show easement lines as dashed or shaded areas. If an easement is marked and your fence conflicts, contact the utility or drainage authority for a waiver or relocation consent. NIPSCO, for example, will grant a waiver for a residential fence that does not impede future access, but you need it in writing before the city will issue the permit.
This step trips up many homeowners. They assume 'my neighbor does not have a fence there, so there is no easement,' or 'the realtor did not mention it, so it does not exist.' Easements are recorded on the plat, not necessarily visible on the ground, and they do not disappear because a previous owner ignored them. The Building Department treats a fence in a recorded easement as a violation, regardless of how long it has been there. Budget 1-2 weeks to research and resolve easement issues before you apply for a permit.
Schererville City Hall, Schererville, IN 46375
Phone: (219) 865-9300 (main) — ask for Building Permits or Building Inspector | https://www.schererville.in.gov (check for online permit portal or e-permit system)
Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (closed municipal holidays)
Common questions
Do I need a permit to replace an old fence with a new one?
If the old fence was compliant (under 6 feet in rear/side yard, set back properly on a corner lot, no easement conflicts) and you are replacing it in-kind with the same material and height, you may not need a permit. However, Schererville does not grant automatic exemptions for replacements; the new fence must meet current code. If the old fence was unpermitted, nonconforming, or over 6 feet, the replacement requires a permit and may not be allowed to replicate the original. Contact the Building Department before demolition to confirm the old fence's status and whether a permit is needed for the replacement.
What is the frost depth in Schererville, and how deep should my fence posts be?
Schererville is in USDA hardiness zone 5A with a 36-inch frost depth. Wood and vinyl fence posts should be set at least 30 inches deep (below the frost line) and anchored in concrete to resist frost heave and maintain stability through winter. Masonry fence footings must be below 36 inches. If you set posts shallower, they will be subject to frost thrust and may lean or shift come spring. This is a code requirement for permit-approved fences and will be checked during final inspection.
Can I build a fence in my easement if I get the utility company's permission?
Not automatically. The utility or drainage authority can grant a waiver allowing a fence in the easement, but you must obtain written consent before the city will issue the permit. Provide the waiver letter to the Building Department with your application. If the utility later needs to access the easement (for repairs or maintenance), they can demand removal at your cost, so ensure the waiver is clear and documented. Some utilities refuse to waive easements in residential areas; if NIPSCO or Peoples Utilities declines, the city will not permit the fence in that location.
My lot is a corner lot, and the realtor said my fence does not need a permit. Is that true?
No. Realtors are not building code experts, and Schererville enforces corner-lot fence rules strictly. Any fence on a corner lot visible from a public street must comply with the sight-triangle rule, which likely requires a permit and a sight-line survey. Verify with the Building Department before you build. A fence built without permit on a corner lot risks a stop-work order and forced removal, even if it was previously approved by an earlier homeowner.
What is a self-closing, self-latching gate, and do I have to use a specific brand?
A self-closing, self-latching gate closes and locks automatically when released and does not stay open or drift. Commercial chain-link gates and many residential vinyl-gate assemblies meet this standard; the hinge and latch mechanism must be tested to ensure the gate closes and locks reliably without manual effort. The Building Department does not mandate a specific brand but will inspect the gate and test its function during final inspection. If the gate does not self-close or latch, the inspector will fail the inspection and require replacement or adjustment. Budget $400–$800 for a compliant gate assembly installed properly.
How long does it take to get a fence permit in Schererville?
Over-the-counter permits (under-6-foot rear/side-yard fences with no corner-lot or easement issues) are often approved same-day or next-day; permit fee is $75–$100. Plan Review applications (corner-lot, front-yard, over 6 feet, masonry, or pool barriers) take 2-3 weeks for initial approval, plus 5-7 days per revision round-trip if comments are issued. Once approved, you have 6 months to start construction. Final inspection is scheduled online or by phone and is typically completed within 3-5 business days of request.
What if my neighbor's fence crosses into my property? Do I need a permit to remove or relocate it?
Removing or relocating a fence on another person's property without their permission is trespassing and legally risky. If a neighbor's fence encroaches on your lot, the first step is to contact the neighbor and request removal or relocation. If they refuse, consult a real-estate attorney; you may need a boundary survey and a civil action. The city's Building Department will not issue a permit for fence work on someone else's property. If the encroaching fence violates code (e.g., sight-line or setback rule), you can file a code complaint with the Building Department, and the city will issue a violation notice to the neighbor demanding correction or removal within 14-30 days.
Is HOA approval separate from city permit approval, and do I need both?
Yes, HOA approval and city permit approval are separate. Nearly all residential subdivisions in Schererville (Hickory Ridge, Schererville Heights, etc.) have HOA rules that govern fence color, material, height, and setback — often stricter than city code. You must obtain HOA approval before submitting a permit application. The city will not force the HOA to approve a fence, and the HOA cannot override city code, but they can restrict your project within their authority. Obtain HOA approval in writing first; include a copy with your city permit application if the application goes to Plan Review.
Can an owner-builder pull a fence permit in Schererville, or do I need a licensed contractor?
Schererville allows owner-builders to pull permits for residential fences on owner-occupied property. You do not need a licensed contractor unless your project requires a masonry or structural engineer (fences over 6 feet tall or brick/stone masonry over 4 feet). A simple wood, vinyl, or chain-link fence under 6 feet can be installed by the homeowner and permitted under the owner's name. You will be responsible for ensuring the work meets code and passing final inspection. If an inspector finds code violations, you must correct them before the permit is signed off.
What happens if the city inspector finds a problem during the final inspection?
If the fence fails final inspection, the inspector issues a correction notice listing the defects (e.g., fence height exceeds 6 feet, gate does not self-latch, posts are set shallower than 30 inches, encroaches on sight triangle). You have 14 days to correct the issue and request a re-inspection. Common failures are gate mechanisms that do not function and fence height measured differently than planned. Most corrections are straightforward and can be completed within a week. If you do not correct the issue within 14 days, the permit is voided and you may incur a stop-work order or citation.