Pool Fence Code in St. George & Utah

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Important: this page is a general guide, not legal advice, and we are not the building department. Codes change, and each city and county interprets them. Always confirm requirements with your city or county building department before you buy or install a pool fence.

Where the rules come from

Utah adopts the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) and the International Residential Code statewide, sometimes with amendments, and cities enforce them through building permits. You can read the barrier section of the Utah ISPSC on UpCodes. Shared pools at HOAs and apartments can also fall under the state's public pool rules. See our HOA and community pool page.

St. George's pool permit checklist

The city's swimming pool permit checklist says the fence must be completed before the pool's final inspection. It lists these barrier items:

• Height: at least 60 inches (5 ft) above grade, measured on the side facing away from the pool.
• Bottom gap: no more than 2 inches between grade and the bottom of the barrier.
• Openings: vertical members no more than 1-3/4 inches apart if horizontal rails are less than 45 inches apart. If the rails are 45 inches or more apart, vertical spacing can be up to 4 inches.
• Solid walls: brick or stone barriers can't have indentations or protrusions that could be used to climb.
• Gates: self-closing and self-latching with a locking device, and the gate must swing outward, away from the pool.
• If a new fence is proposed, the checklist says a fence permit and a pool-fence barrier affidavit are needed before the pool permit is issued.

Note that St. George's 5 ft height is taller than the 48-inch minimum found in the model ISPSC. That's one reason not to rely on a generic product or a national website. Check the local number.

Other common requirements

The model code also covers items you should ask about:

• Latch height: release mechanisms generally need to be high enough that small children can't reach them, or placed on the pool side with no openings nearby.
• Climbability: keep furniture, planters, equipment and walls from creating a step up next to the barrier.
• House as one side: if a wall of the house is part of the barrier, doors to the pool area may need alarms or other protection.
• Above-ground pools and spas: rules differ, and lockable safety covers may be accepted for spas in some situations.

Are removable mesh fences allowed?

Removable mesh fences are widely used for homes, but whether one passes your final inspection depends on how the city reads the rules for height, gates and latches. In St. George, a mesh fence would need to meet the 5 ft height and the gate rules above. Ask the building department before ordering, and tell your installer what height you need.

Is a pool cover enough?

Safety covers are an excellent extra layer, but in most cases they don't replace the required barrier for a new in-ground pool. Ask the city.

Construction fencing

During a pool build, keep temporary fencing around the excavation and the unfinished pool. Never fill a pool before a barrier is in place if young children live there or visit.

Questions to ask your building department

1. What barrier height is required, and where is it measured?
2. Do I need a separate fence permit or affidavit?
3. Do you accept removable mesh fences and their gates?
4. What are the requirements for gate swing and latch height?
5. If my house forms one side, do doors need alarms?

Other towns, including Hurricane, Washington, Ivins and Santa Clara, run their own permits, and their rules may differ. For costs, see our cost guide.

Frequently asked questions

How tall does a pool fence need to be in St. George?

St. George's pool permit checklist lists a minimum of 60 inches (5 ft) above grade, measured on the side away from the pool. Confirm with the city for your project.

Which way should a pool gate swing?

St. George's checklist says gates must swing outward, away from the pool, and be self-closing and self-latching with a locking device.

What's the maximum gap under a pool fence?

St. George's checklist lists 2 inches between grade and the bottom of the barrier.

Does an existing pool need to meet current code?

That depends on your city and on whether you're permitting new work. Even when it's not required, meeting today's standard is the safest choice.