Maine Pool Fence Requirements at a Glance
State and local laws change. This information reflects our best research as of September 2026, but you must confirm current requirements with your local building department before installing or modifying any pool barrier. Maine law lets towns adopt pool fence rules that are weaker or stricter than the state statute (22 M.R.S. 1634).
Last reviewed: September 2026. Report an error →
Maine’s Two Layers of Pool Law
Maine has had a pool fence statute since 1983. Title 22, section 1632 requires a fence to be put up and kept up around every swimming pool, new or existing. A house or accessory building can form part of the enclosure, and every gate or door through it must be capable of being securely fastened whenever the pool is not in use.
The statute's definitions (section 1631) set the numbers:
- The fence or wall must be at least 4 feet high and of a character to exclude children
- No opening, hole or gap larger than 4 square inches
- For fences of vertical posts or louvers, openings no wider than 4 inches, with no horizontal members between the top and bottom plates
- Gates and doors are exempt from the dimension rules
- A swimming pool means an outdoor pool, in or above ground, designed for water 24 inches deep or more
Portable above-ground pools with sidewalls at least 24 inches high are exempt from the fence requirement. Unusually, the statute does not preempt local rules: towns may adopt pool enclosure ordinances that are less or more restrictive than the state law (section 1634).
An earlier version said the statute sets no minimum height. It does: section 1631 requires at least 4 feet.
Does the Code Reach Your Town?
Maine also has a statewide building code, the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (MUBEC). It applies to buildings across the state, but only towns of 4,000 residents or more must adopt and enforce it; smaller towns may choose to (Town of Topsham pool and spa information, April 2025). Where your town enforces MUBEC, its pool provisions apply alongside the statute.
Permits are set by your town. Ask your code enforcement officer which rules it checks: the statute, a local pool ordinance, MUBEC, or all three.
Where a town has adopted nothing of its own, the state statute's 4-foot fence rule still applies to your pool.
Above-Ground Pools in Maine
The statute exempts portable above-ground pools with sidewalls at least 24 inches high (22 M.R.S. 1632). Other above-ground pools designed for water 24 inches deep or more are covered. A town ordinance or MUBEC can still apply, so ask your code enforcement officer before you buy.
Pool Fence Cost in Maine
We found no published source that prices pool fences by state or city, so these are national installed ranges from our pool fence cost guide. Quotes where you live can land above or below them.
| Material | Installed, per linear foot | Full breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| Removable mesh | $15 to $35 | Mesh fence cost |
| Aluminum | $30 to $60 | Aluminum fence cost |
| Vinyl / PVC | $20 to $45 | Vinyl fence cost |
| Tempered glass | $90 to $500 | Glass fence cost |
National typical installed ranges, not quotes. Multiply by your fence perimeter. Some sources include one gate in the figure; extra gates, permits and hard deck surfaces add to the total. Sources: HomeGuide (Feb 3, 2026), Life Saver Pool Fence (Aug 5 and Sep 23, 2026) and Pool Guard USA (May 20, 2025). Full source list and method: pool fence cost guide. Reviewed September 2026.
Maine-Specific FAQs
Sources
Every rule on this page traces to one of these. We link the primary source so you can check it yourself.
- 22 M.R.S. 1632, Enclosure of swimming pool required (Maine Revisor of Statutes, data January 5, 2026) (fence around every pool; gates securely fastened; above-ground exemption)
- 22 M.R.S. 1631, Definitions (Maine Revisor of Statutes) (4-foot height, 4-square-inch openings, pool definition)
- 22 M.R.S. 1634, Municipal ordinances (Maine Revisor of Statutes) (towns may be less or more restrictive)
- Town of Topsham, Swimming Pool and Spa Information (April 7, 2025) (MUBEC applies statewide; enforced in towns of 4,000 or more)
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