SWIMMING POOLS, SPAS, AND HOT TUBS REQUIREMENTS
SWIMMING POOL. Any structure intended for
swimming or recreational bathing that contains water
over 24 inches (610 mm) deep or surface area of
more than 250 sq. ft. This includes in-ground, above-
ground and on-ground swimming pools, hot tubs and
spas.
BARRIER. A fence, wall, building wall or
combination thereof which completely surrounds the
swimming pool and obstructs access to the swimming
pool.
BARRIER REQUIREMENTS
Application. The provisions of this chapter shall
control the design of barriers for residential
swimming pools, spas and hot tubs. These design
controls are intended to provide protection against
potential drowning and near-drowning by restricting
access to swimming pools, spas and hot tubs.
Outdoor swimming pool. An outdoor swimming
pool, including an in-ground, above-ground or on-
ground pool, hot tub or spa shall be surrounded by a
barrier which shall comply with the following:
1. The top of the barrier shall be at least 48
inches (1219 mm) above grade measured on
the side of the barrier which faces away from
the swimming pool. The maximum vertical
clearance between grade and the bottom of
the barrier shall be 2 inches (51 mm)
measured on the side of the barrier which
faces away from the swimming pool. Where
the top of the pool structure is above grade,
such as an above-ground, the barrier may be
at ground level, such as the pool structure, or
mounted on top of the pool structure. Where
the barrier is mounted on top of the pool
structure, the maximum vertical clearance
between the top of the pool structure and the
bottom of the barrier shall be 4 inches (102
mm).
2. Openings in the barrier shall not allow
passage of 4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere.
3. Solid barriers which do not have openings,
such as a masonry or stone wall, shall not
contain indentions or protrusions except for
normal construction tolerances and tooled
masonry joints.
4. Where the barrier is composed of horizontal
and vertical members and the distance
between the tops of the horizontal members
is less 45 inches (1143 mm), the horizontal
members shall be located on the swimming
pool side of the fence. Spacing between
vertical members shall not exceed 1 3/4
inches (44 mm) in width. Where there are
decorative cutouts within vertical members,
spacing within the cutouts shall not exceed 1
¾ inches (44 mm) in width.
5. Where the barrier is composed of horizontal
and vertical members and the distance
between the tops of the horizontal members
is 45 inches (1143 mm) or more, spacing
between vertical members shall not exceed 4
inches (102 mm). Where there are decorative
cutouts within vertical members, spacing
within the cutouts shall not exceed 1 ¾
inches (44 mm).
6. Maximum mesh size for chain link fences
shall be a 2 ¼-inch (57 mm) square unless
the fence has slats fastened at the top or the
bottom which reduce the openings to not
more than 1 ¾ inches (44 mm).
7. Where the barrier is composed of diagonal
members, such as a lattice fence, the
maximum opening formed by the diagonal
members shall not be more than 1 ¾ inches
(44 mm).
8. Access gates shall comply with the
requirements of Section AG105.2, Items 1
through 7, and shall be equipped to
accommodate a locking device. Pedestrian
access gates shall open outward away from
the pool and shall be self-closing and have a
self-latching device. Gates other than
pedestrian access gates shall have a self-
latching device. Where the release
mechanism of the self-latching device is
located less than 54 inches (1372 mm) from
the bottom of the gate, the release mechanism
and openings shall comply with following: