- Wood fence or chain link fencing is acceptable as long as the fencing meets the height requirement. Fences cannot have handholds or footholds that would enable a child to grab or place a foot to climb over the fence. The chain link fence must have diamond-shaped holes less than 1-1/4 inch, which is small enough so that a child cannot put his foot in a hole and climb the fence.
- The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends installing fencing that is at least 4 feet high, but local ordinances may have require fencing to be at least 6 feet. Fencing any shorter than 4 feet would allow a child to climb over the fence and enter the pool area. The bottom of the fence cannot be more than 4 inches between the ground and the bottom of the fence to prevent a small child from crawling under the fence. The distance between slats cannot be more than 4 inches.
- Gates on the fencing must have a self-closing mechanism and open out of the pool area. The gates must be self latching with no opening bigger than 1/2 inch in diameter within 18 inches of the self-latching mechanism so small hands cannot reach through the gate and unlock the pool gate. The height of the latch mechanism should be 54 inches from the ground and 3 inches from the top of the fence so small children cannot reach over and unlatch the fence.
- Above ground pools don't require a fence as long as access to the pool is removed when not in use. If a deck surrounds the pool, access to the deck must be prevented when no one is supervising the pool. Any steps or ladders attached to the pool to help people get in the pool must be removed. As long as there is no possible way for a small child to get in the pool without supervision, the pool does not need a fence, but the pool must be at least 4 feet away from any structures that could aid in the entry to the pool.
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