Find the exact pool fence laws for your state: minimum height, gate requirements, penalties, and local variations. Stay compliant and keep your family safe.
Pool fence rules come from two places. In some states, a state law or statewide code sets the rule. In others, cities and counties set it. Every state has been checked against primary sources; each state page lists the sources behind its rules. Our interactive map and 50-state table below give you the full picture. We've also published detailed requirement guides for the most-searched states:
Hover over a state to preview its status. Click or tap a state to open its full requirements page.
Prefer a list? Jump to the full table below.
Pool fence requirements for every U.S. state. Click "View details" for the full page including local variations and installer quotes.
State laws change and local ordinances often impose stricter requirements than state law. Always confirm current rules with your local building department before purchasing or installing a pool fence.
Need city-specific rules, permit processes, and local installer guidance?
Beyond state laws: everything else pool fence owners need to know.
| State | Requirement | Min. Height | Gate | Max. Gap | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Local | Set by your city or county. 48 inches under the model pool code | Set locally. | Set locally. 4 inches under the model pool code | Set by your city or county. No state penalty. | View details |
| Alaska | LocalThe state building code does not cover one- to three-family homes; cities and boroughs set pool rules. | Set by your city or borough. 48 inches under the model pool code | Set locally. | Set locally. 4 inches under the model pool code | Set by your city or borough. No state penalty. | View details |
| Arizona | Required | 60 inches (5 feet) | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward. | 4 inches | Petty offense. No fine if you fix the barrier within 45 days and take a pool safety course. | View details |
| Arkansas | Local | 48 inches (typical city minimum) | Self-closing, self-latching, lockable. | 4 inches | See state page | View details |
| California | RequiredTwo of seven safety features for new or remodeled pools; a fence is one option. | 60 inches, if an enclosure is one of your features | Enclosure gates open away from the pool, self-close and self-latch. | 4 inches | No final approval until the features pass inspection. Local codes set other penalties. | View details |
| Colorado | Local | Set by your city or county. 48 inches under the model pool code | Set locally. | Set locally. 4 inches under the model pool code | Set by your city or county. No state penalty. | View details |
| Connecticut | Required | 48 inches (4 feet) | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward. | 4 inches | Enforced by the town building official through the permit. | View details |
| Delaware | LocalAll three counties require a 48-inch barrier; towns set their own. | 48 inches (New Castle, Kent); 4 feet (Sussex) | Set by your county. | 4 inches (New Castle) | Set by your county or town. | View details |
| Florida | RequiredOne of five safety features for new pools; a barrier is one option. | 48 inches, where a barrier is used | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward. | 4 inches | Second-degree misdemeanor. No penalty if fixed within 45 days plus a drowning prevention course. | View details |
| Georgia | Required | 48 inches | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward. | 4 inches | Set by the enforcing city or county. No state fine schedule found. | View details |
| Hawaii | LocalThe state residential code has a barrier rule, but it reaches homes through each county's code. | Set by your county's code | Set by your county's code. | Set by your county's code | Set by your county. | View details |
| Idaho | LocalThe state code applies only where a city or county runs a building program. | Set by your city or county | Set locally. | Set locally | Set by your city or county. | View details |
| Illinois | Local | Set locally. Commonly 48 inches; Chicago 5 feet | Set locally. | Set locally. 4 inches under the model pool code | Set by local ordinance. No state penalty. | View details |
| Indiana | RequiredCovers pools that can hold more than 42 inches of water and indoor pools; a key-operated power safety cover can replace the barrier. | 4 feet (48 inches), around the pool and deck | Self-closing and latching, able to be locked. | Not set by the state rule; ask your building department | Enforced by your city or county; penalties set locally. | View details |
| Iowa | LocalThe state code, which includes the pool rule, applies in cities over 15,000 without their own code and wherever a city or county adopts it. | 48 inches where the state code or a local code with the pool rule applies | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward. | 4 inches | Set by your city or county. No state penalty. | View details |
| Kansas | Local | 48 inches (where locally adopted) | Self-closing, self-latching. | 4 inches | See state page | View details |
| Kentucky | RequiredHomes are permitted and inspected only where a local ordinance requires it. | 48 inches (4 feet), in-ground pools | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward, able to take a lock. | 4 inches | Enforced where your city or county runs an inspection program. | View details |
| Louisiana | Required | 48 inches (Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish: 5 feet) | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward. | 4 inches | Set locally. We found no state penalty schedule. | View details |
| Maine | RequiredState law requires a 4-foot fence; towns may set weaker or stricter rules. | 4 feet (48 inches) | Must be able to be securely fastened. | 4 square inches; 4 inches between pickets | Set by your town. | View details |
| Maryland | RequiredCounties may amend the state code, and some require taller fences. | 48 inches (Montgomery County 60", Prince George's County 72") | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward, able to take a lock. | 4 inches | Set by your county or city. | View details |
| Massachusetts | Required | 48 inches (2021 ISPSC) | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward. | 4 inches | Penalties under M.G.L. c. 143, § 94(a) (780 CMR 114.4). | View details |
| Michigan | Required | 48 inches (2015 ISPSC, applied through the Michigan Residential Code) | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward. | 4 inches | Local code enforcement; fines and stop-work orders vary by municipality. | View details |
| Minnesota | LocalThe state building code deletes the pool section, so cities set pool rules. | Set by your city (Minnetonka: 5 feet) | Set locally. | Set locally. | Set by your city. No state penalty. | View details |
| Mississippi | LocalCounties and cities had to adopt the state code unless they opted out in 2014; the pool rule applies only where the local code includes it. | 48 inches where the local code includes the pool rule, and for rental and HOA pools | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward. | 4 inches | Set by your county or city. | View details |
| Missouri | LocalCounties without a code before Aug. 28, 2001 need voter approval to adopt one. | Set by your city or county. 48 inches under the model pool code | Set locally. | Set locally. 4 inches under the model pool code | Set by your city or county. No state penalty. | View details |
| Montana | LocalThe state code reaches homes only where a city or county enforces it. | 48 inches (where enforced) | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward (latch 54"). | 4 inches (4" sphere rule) | See state page | View details |
| Nebraska | RequiredThe state code applies wherever a town has no code of its own; farm construction is exempt. | 48 inches (4 feet) | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward. | 4 inches | Set by your city, village or county. | View details |
| Nevada | Local | 60 inches in Southern Nevada; 48 inches in Washoe County | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward. | 4 inches | Set by local code. No state penalty. | View details |
| New Hampshire | Required | 48 inches (4 feet) | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward. | 4 inches | Enforced by your town's building official. | View details |
| New Jersey | Required | 48 inches (4 feet) | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward. | 4 inches (no opening may allow passage of a 4" sphere) | See state page | View details |
| New Mexico | Required | 48 inches | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward. | 4 inches | Set by the enforcing building authority. | View details |
| New York | RequiredNew York City uses its own code. | 48 inches (4 feet) | Self-closing and self-latching; pedestrian gates open outward; outside-reachable latch at 54"+; locked when the pool is not in use. | 4 inches (1¾" where horizontal members < 45" apart) | See state page | View details |
| North Carolina | Required | 48 inches | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward. | 4 inches | Class 3 misdemeanor, fine up to $50 per offense (G.S. 143-138(h)) | View details |
| North Dakota | LocalThe state code applies only where a city, township or county chooses to enforce a code. | 48 inches where the state code is enforced | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward. | 4 inches | Set by the enforcing city, township or county. | View details |
| Ohio | Local | Set by each city; 48 inches in the ordinances we checked | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward. | 4 inches | Local code enforcement; fines and stop-work orders vary by jurisdiction. | View details |
| Oklahoma | RequiredLots over 2 acres are exempt, and a power safety cover can replace the fence. | 48 inches (4 feet) | Self-closing, self-latching. | 4 inches | Set by your city or county. | View details |
| Oregon | Required | 48 inches (4 feet) | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward; latch out of a child's reach. | 4 inches | Local building-department enforcement; a failed inspection blocks completion. | View details |
| Pennsylvania | Required | 48 inches (4 feet) | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward. | 4 inches | Enforced through your municipality or the Department of Labor and Industry. | View details |
| Rhode Island | Required | 48 inches (4 feet) | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward. | 4 inches | Enforced by your city or town building official. | View details |
| South Carolina | Local | 48 inches where the county or city has adopted the pool code | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward. | 4 inches | Set by local ordinance. No state penalty found. | View details |
| South Dakota | LocalCities may adopt the residential code but may not make it stricter. | Set by your city. 48 inches under the model pool code | Set locally. | Set locally. 4 inches under the model pool code | Set by your city. No state penalty. | View details |
| Tennessee | LocalThe state fire marshal's code applies where no local code does. | 48 inches | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward. | 4 inches | Barrier: set locally. Alarm law: Class C misdemeanor, fine up to $100 ($500 for later offenses). | View details |
| Texas | Local | 48 inches under the state's default city pool code | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward. | 4 inches | Set by local ordinance. No statewide fine. | View details |
| Utah | Required | 48 inches (2024 ISPSC) | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward. | 4 inches | Enforced by your city or county. | View details |
| Vermont | LocalState building rules cover public buildings, not owner-occupied homes; towns set pool rules. | Set by your town (Burlington: 3 feet) | Set locally. | Set locally. | Set by your town. No state penalty. | View details |
| Virginia | Required | 48 inches (4 feet) | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward, able to take a lock. | 4 inches (1¾" where horizontal members < 45" apart) | See state page | View details |
| Washington | Required | 48 inches (2021 ISPSC) | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward. | 4 inches | Enforced by your city or county. | View details |
| West Virginia | LocalThe state code applies only where a county or city adopts it. | 48 inches where the state code is adopted | Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward. | 4 inches | Set by the adopting county or city. | View details |
| Wisconsin | LocalThe state dwelling code does not cover pools; cities, villages and towns set pool rules. | Set by your city, village or town (Franklin: 48 inches) | Set locally. | Set locally. | Set locally. No state penalty. | View details |
| Wyoming | LocalThe state adopts codes for public buildings only; cities and counties set pool rules. | Set by your city or county. 48 inches under the model pool code | Set locally. | Set locally. 4 inches under the model pool code | Set by your city or county. No state penalty. | View details |
Common questions about state pool fence laws and requirements.
All 50 states have been checked against primary sources. 25 set a pool barrier rule through state law or a statewide code: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia and Washington. California's rule is two of seven safety features, and Florida's is one of five. In the other 25 (Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming), cities and counties set the rules. Use the table above to find yours.
Possibly yes, even if your state doesn't require one. Your city or county may have stricter local rules. Your homeowners insurance may also require a pool barrier as a condition of coverage. And under premises liability law, you can be held responsible for accidents even without a legal mandate.
Frequently yes. Many cities and counties impose requirements stricter than state law. For example, a state may require a 48-inch fence while a specific city may require 60 inches. Always check with your local building department before installing.
Contact your city or county building department, which can tell you exactly what is required for your property. If you get installer quotes, ask each installer which code they build to and check the answer with the same office.
It depends on your state and your local code. Where a permit is required, the barrier is inspected, and a pool that fails does not get final approval. Fines come from state or local law: in Virginia a building code violation is a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $2,500 (Code of Virginia 36-106), and Tennessee's pool alarm law is a Class C misdemeanor with a fine of up to $100, or $500 for later offenses. Your state page lists the rule where you live.
This varies by state. Some states apply requirements to all pools; others exempt above-ground pools that are a certain height. Always check your specific state and local rules for above-ground pool requirements.
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