Understanding New Western Springs Pet Fence Regulations

Pet-owning residents of Western Springs should be aware that new regulations are now in place for any resident who installs a new pet fence or changes an existing one as of Mar. 26, 2012.

The new ordinance posits three requirements for new or altered fences:

• A $25 permit fee from the Department of Community Development
• Fencing installed six feet away from sidewalks or property lines.
• A minimum of two signs indicating that pets on the property are constrained by invisible fences.

Invisible fences already existing do not need to conform to the requirements, although an announcement on the Village website stressed that "the Board encourages all residents with electronic pet fencing to be neighborly and post signs to alert someone passing by that a system is installed."

The new regulations were taken up by the Board after a jogger resident about being terrified by aggressive unleashed dogs in other residents' yards.

The complete ordinance can be found here.