Swimming Pools & Spas in Biloxi, MS: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Biloxi or are thinking about moving there, swimming pools & spas are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Biloxi has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of swimming pools & spas, and some of them might surprise you.

Safety Rules

Biloxi enforces pool safety requirements including water quality, drain covers, and maintenance standards. The MS State Department of Health oversees public pool safety regulations.

Key details: Drain Covers: VGB Act compliant. Grounding: Electrical code required. Mosquito Control: Maintenance required. Authority: MS Code Ann. §41-26-1.

Public pool violations: $100 to $500 per health code citation. Pool closure orders for immediate hazards. Nuisance pool: abatement notice with fines for non-compliance.

Fencing Requirements

Mississippi has no statewide residential pool-fence mandate, so Biloxi enforces pool barrier rules through the building code adopted under Miss. Code Ann. §17-2-1 et seq. (Mississippi Building Codes Council) and Miss. Code Ann. §21-19-25 (municipal code adoption). Biloxi's adopted International Residential Code (IRC) Appendix G / Section R326 requires a 48-inch barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates, no 4-inch openings, and a top latch at 54 inches.

Key details: State Authority: Miss. Code Ann. §17-2-1 et seq.; §21-19-25. Adopted Code: IRC Appendix G / R326. Barrier Height: 48 in (4 ft) minimum. Opening Rule: No 4-in sphere can pass. Gate Latch Height: 54 in above bottom of gate.

Installing a pool without a permit, or failing the IRC barrier inspection on height, opening size, gate hardware, or door alarms, can result in denial of final approval, stop-work orders, mandatory corrective work, and code-enforcement citations. Continued non-compliance may be abated as a public nuisance.

Pool Permits

Biloxi requires building permits for swimming pool installation. The Mississippi State Department of Health regulates public and semi-public pools under MS Code Ann. §41-26-1.

Key details: Permit Required: Yes, building permit. Setback: 5 to 10 ft from property line. Electrical: Separate permit required. Authority: Local building code.

Unpermitted pool: stop-work order plus $200 to $500 fine. Failed inspection requires corrections before use. Operating without final approval may result in additional penalties.

The Bottom Line

Biloxi's swimming pools & spas rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Biloxi is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Biloxi's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.