Pool Fence Safety Requirements

Georgia minimum standards per the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC)

Additional Requirements for Washington (Wilkes County)

Swimming pool permits available from city. Must comply with state pool barrier codes.

These requirements are in addition to the state minimums shown below.

Georgia adopts the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) as the state minimum standard. All residential pool barriers in Georgia must meet these requirements. Local jurisdictions may impose stricter standards.

The purpose of a pool barrier is to prevent unsupervised access by young children. A successful barrier prevents a child from getting over, under, or through the enclosure.

Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	Specification
Minimum barrier height	48 inches (4 ft) above grade
Maximum opening size	Cannot pass a 4-inch diameter sphere
Picket spacing (rails < 45" apart)	1-3/4 inches max; horizontal rails on pool side
Picket spacing (rails ≥ 45" apart)	4 inches max
Ground clearance (solid surface)	4 inches max
Ground clearance (grass/gravel)	2 inches max
Chain link mesh	1-3/4 inches max opening
Gate operation	Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward
Gate latch height (exterior)	54 inches min above ground
Clear zone outside barrier	36 inches from climbable objects
Setback from water	20 inches minimum
House wall as barrier	Doors require alarms or self-closing/self-latching hardware

Detailed Requirements

Barrier Height

Minimum 48 inches (4 ft) above grade, measured on the side facing away from the pool
Height must be maintained for the entire perimeter
Some jurisdictions require 60 inches (5 ft) — check your local requirements
Eliminate handholds, footholds, and minimize openings in the barrier's construction

Openings & Picket Spacing

Diagram showing picket spacing requirements when horizontal rails are less than 45 inches apart

No opening may allow a 4-inch diameter sphere to pass through
When horizontal rails are less than 45 inches apart: maximum 1-3/4 inch picket spacing, and horizontal members must be on the pool side
When horizontal rails are 45 inches or more apart: maximum 4-inch picket spacing
Decorative cutouts within the barrier: maximum 1-3/4 inch interior width

Ground Clearance

Maximum 4 inches above solid surfaces (concrete, pavers)
Maximum 2 inches above non-solid surfaces (grass, gravel, mulch)
Measured on the side of the barrier facing away from the pool

Gates

Diagram showing gate latch height requirements — 54 inches minimum on exterior, 3 inches below gate top on pool side

Must be self-closing — returns to closed position automatically
Must be self-latching — latches automatically when gate closes
Must open outward, away from the pool area
Exterior latch release mechanism must be at least 54 inches above ground
If latch is on the pool side, it must be at least 3 inches below the top of the gate, with no openings greater than 1/2 inch within 18 inches of the latch

House Wall as Part of the Barrier

Diagram showing door alarm requirements when the house wall is part of the pool barrier

When the house wall forms part of the pool enclosure, doors with direct pool access must have one of:
Door alarms that meet UL 2017 standards (must sound for 30+ seconds, be distinct from other alarms, deactivation switch at least 54 inches above floor)
Self-closing, self-latching door hardware
An ASTM F1346-compliant safety cover on the pool

Reference Documents

For specific questions about your property, contact your local building department.