The Connecticut State Building Code controls the design of barriers (fences) for residential swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs. The controls are intended to protect against potential drownings and near-drownings by restricting access. Whether in-ground, above-ground, or on-ground, the pool, hot tub, or spa must be surrounded by a barrier (fence or wall). A pool installed with a "powered safety cover" is currently exempt from the fencing requirement; be advised, though, that the Connecticut General Assembly, in April 2024, attempted to remove that exemption and require code-compliant fencing for all pools.
FENCING:
• The top of the fence must be at least 48 inches above grade, measured on the side of the fence facing away from the pool.
• The maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the fence is 2 inches, measured on the side of the fence facing away from the pool.
• Openings in the fence (e.g., between pickets) shall be no more than 4 inches.
• Solid fencing, with no openings in the panels, may not contain indentations or protrusions.
• If the fence panels have both horizontal and vertical members, and the distance between the tops of the horizontal members is less than 45 inches, the horizontal members must be located on the pool side of the fence; the spacing between the vertical members cannot exceed 1¾ inches in width. If the distance between the tops of the horizontal members is 45 inches or more, the spacing between the vertical members cannot exceed 4 inches; if there are decorative cutouts within the vertical members, the spacing within the cutouts cannot exceed 1¾ inches in width.
• For chain-link pool fencing, the maximum mesh size is 2¼ inches square, unless the fence has slats fastened at the top or bottom that reduce the openings to not more than 1¾ inches.
• For lattice fencing, the maximum opening formed by the diagonal fencing cannot be more than 1¾ inches.
GATES:
• Access gates must comply with the fence requirements.
• Gates must be equipped with self-closing hinges that open outward, away from the pool.
• Gates must be equipped with a lock and a self-latching device.
• If the latch is located less than 54 inches from the bottom of the gate, the release mechanism must be located on the pool side of the gate, at least 3 inches below the top of the gate; the opening between the gate and the adjacent fencing or wall must not exceed ½ inch within 18 inches of the release mechanism.
Connecticut Pool Code