Taunton's Swimming Pools & Spas: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles swimming pools & spas a little differently. In Taunton, Massachusetts, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Fencing & Safety Requirements

Any Taunton property with a pool 24 inches or deeper needs a four-foot protective fence or approved barrier, with every gate self-closing and self-latching and its latch mounted at least 54 inches up. The Superintendent of Public Buildings must approve the fence design, materials and construction before it counts.

Key details: Depth trigger: 24 inches or more. Minimum fence height: 4 feet. Gate latch height: At least 54 inches. Approving official: Superintendent of Public Buildings. Penalty: $300 fine (§ 1-5).

Chapter 387 does not set its own fine, so a pool without an approved fence or gate falls under the Code's general penalty at § 1-5: a fine of $300 per violation. Because the requirement is ongoing, an unfenced or noncompliant pool can be cited again if the condition is not corrected after notice from the Superintendent of Public Buildings.

Pool Permits

Taunton requires a permit before building a swimming pool, plus a protective fence at least four feet high with a self-closing, self-latching gate for any pool 24 inches deep or more. The City charges $52 for an aboveground pool's electrical permit and $78 for an in-ground pool, and pools of 500 gallons or more must sit at least 10 feet from the side or rear lot line.

Key details: Pool permit fee (aboveground): $52 (Sec. 250-3). Pool permit fee (in-ground): $78 (Sec. 250-3). Fence height/depth trigger: 4 ft fence, pools 24+ in. deep. Gate latch height: 54 inches minimum. Lot-line setback: 10 ft for pools of 500+ gallons.

Building or wiring a pool before securing the required permits triples the applicable fee under Section 250-2 and Section 250-7, and the Building Commissioner may seek an injunction against the violator in addition to that penalty. An unfenced or improperly fenced pool 24 inches deep or more violates Section 387-1 regardless of when the pool was installed, since the fence requirement applies to pools already in existence as well as new ones, and fencing must meet Superintendent of Public Buildings approval before it satisfies the ordinance.

The Bottom Line

Taunton'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 Taunton is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Taunton's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.