Your Local Code Decides

The figures below come from the model pool code and from each state page. Your city or county may use a different edition or add its own terms, so confirm the height with your building department before you build.

The Short Answer: 48 Inches

Under Section 305.2.1 of the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), the top of a pool barrier must be at least 48 inches above grade, measured on the side that faces away from the pool. Most of the state rules on this site start from that figure; the next section lists where they differ.

  • The 48 inches must hold all the way around the barrier and for 3 feet out from its outside face. A mound, planter or step within 3 feet that raises the ground cuts into it.
  • The gap under the barrier can be no more than 2 inches over soil, grass or gravel, and no more than 4 inches over a solid surface such as concrete.
  • No opening in the barrier may let a 4-inch sphere through (305.2.2).

Where the Rule Is Higher or Lower

These state pages name a figure other than 48 inches for all or part of the state. California's 60 inches applies only if an enclosure is one of the two safety features you choose.

  • Arizona: 60 inches (5 feet)
  • California: 60 inches, if an enclosure is one of your features
  • Illinois: Set locally. Commonly 48 inches; Chicago 5 feet
  • Louisiana: 48 inches (Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish: 5 feet)
  • Maryland: 48 inches (Montgomery County 60", Prince George's County 72")
  • Minnesota: Set by your city (Minnetonka: 5 feet)
  • Nevada: 60 inches in Southern Nevada; 48 inches in Washoe County
  • Vermont: Set by your town (Burlington: 3 feet)

Above-Ground Pools

Under Section 305.5 of the ISPSC, an above-ground or on-ground pool's own wall can be the barrier when it sits on grade, is at least 48 inches high around the whole pool, meets the opening rules and the pool maker allows that use. A barrier mounted on top of a lower wall can make up the height, with no more than 4 inches between the top of the pool and the bottom of the barrier. Ladders or steps must be secured, locked or removed, or have their own barrier.

State-by-state answers are on our above-ground pool fence page.

Fencing During Construction

For an in-ground pool or spa, Section 305.1.1 of the 2024 ISPSC requires construction fencing at least 4 feet high around the site from the time digging starts until the permanent barrier is finished.

How to Measure Your Fence

  1. Measure on the outside of the fence, from the finished ground to the top of the barrier.
  2. Repeat at the lowest points: where the ground rises, and anywhere within 3 feet of the outside face that a child could stand on.
  3. Measure the gap under the bottom at several points, against 2 inches over soil or gravel and 4 inches over concrete.

Our inspection checklist covers the rest of the barrier.

Minimum Height in Every State

Each row is the height summary from that state's page. The label under the state name shows whether the barrier rule is set statewide or by cities and counties.

StateMinimum height (state page summary)
Alabama
Local rules		Set by your city or county. 48 inches under the model pool code
Alaska
Local rules		Set by your city or borough. 48 inches under the model pool code
Arizona
Required statewide		60 inches (5 feet)
Arkansas
Local rules		48 inches (typical city minimum)
California
Required statewide		60 inches, if an enclosure is one of your features
Colorado
Local rules		Set by your city or county. 48 inches under the model pool code
Connecticut
Required statewide		48 inches (4 feet)
Delaware
Local rules		48 inches (New Castle, Kent); 4 feet (Sussex)
Florida
Required statewide		48 inches, where a barrier is used
Georgia
Required statewide		48 inches
Hawaii
Local rules		Set by your county's code
Idaho
Local rules		Set by your city or county
Illinois
Local rules		Set locally. Commonly 48 inches; Chicago 5 feet
Indiana
Required statewide		4 feet (48 inches), around the pool and deck
Iowa
Local rules		48 inches where the state code or a local code with the pool rule applies
Kansas
Local rules		48 inches (where locally adopted)
Kentucky
Required statewide		48 inches (4 feet), in-ground pools
Louisiana
Required statewide		48 inches (Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish: 5 feet)
Maine
Required statewide		4 feet (48 inches)
Maryland
Required statewide		48 inches (Montgomery County 60", Prince George's County 72")
Massachusetts
Required statewide		48 inches (2021 ISPSC)
Michigan
Required statewide		48 inches (2015 ISPSC, applied through the Michigan Residential Code)
Minnesota
Local rules		Set by your city (Minnetonka: 5 feet)
Mississippi
Local rules		48 inches where the local code includes the pool rule, and for rental and HOA pools
Missouri
Local rules		Set by your city or county. 48 inches under the model pool code
Montana
Local rules		48 inches (where enforced)
Nebraska
Required statewide		48 inches (4 feet)
Nevada
Local rules		60 inches in Southern Nevada; 48 inches in Washoe County
New Hampshire
Required statewide		48 inches (4 feet)
New Jersey
Required statewide		48 inches (4 feet)
New Mexico
Required statewide		48 inches
New York
Required statewide		48 inches (4 feet)
North Carolina
Required statewide		48 inches
North Dakota
Local rules		48 inches where the state code is enforced
Ohio
Local rules		Set by each city; 48 inches in the ordinances we checked
Oklahoma
Required statewide		48 inches (4 feet)
Oregon
Required statewide		48 inches (4 feet)
Pennsylvania
Required statewide		48 inches (4 feet)
Rhode Island
Required statewide		48 inches (4 feet)
South Carolina
Local rules		48 inches where the county or city has adopted the pool code
South Dakota
Local rules		Set by your city. 48 inches under the model pool code
Tennessee
Local rules		48 inches
Texas
Local rules		48 inches under the state's default city pool code
Utah
Required statewide		48 inches (2024 ISPSC)
Vermont
Local rules		Set by your town (Burlington: 3 feet)
Virginia
Required statewide		48 inches (4 feet)
Washington
Required statewide		48 inches (2021 ISPSC)
West Virginia
Local rules		48 inches where the state code is adopted
Wisconsin
Local rules		Set by your city, village or town (Franklin: 48 inches)
Wyoming
Local rules		Set by your city or county. 48 inches under the model pool code

Gate and latch heights are on our pool gate requirements page.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How tall does a pool fence have to be?

At least 48 inches under the ISPSC, measured on the outside of the fence. Arizona, California enclosures, Southern Nevada and some counties and cities require 60 inches or more. Find your state in the table on this page.

Is a 4-foot pool fence tall enough?

Under the model code, yes: 4 feet is 48 inches. It is not enough where a higher rule applies, such as Arizona (5 feet), Southern Nevada (60 inches) or Montgomery County, Maryland (60 inches).

How is pool fence height measured?

From the ground to the top of the barrier on the side facing away from the pool, all the way around. Under the ISPSC the height must also hold for 3 feet out from the fence, so raised ground next to it reduces the height that counts.

Does an above-ground pool wall count toward the height?

Under ISPSC Section 305.5, a wall that sits on grade and is at least 48 inches high all the way around can be the barrier if the pool maker allows it and ladders or steps are secured, locked or removed. A barrier mounted on a lower wall can make up the height.

Sources

Every rule on this page traces to one of these. We link the primary source so you can check it yourself. The state rows come from each state page on this site, where that state's own sources are listed.