Fencing Requirements: Des Plaines vs Skokie
How do fencing requirements rules compare between Des Plaines, IL and Skokie, IL?
Des Plaines has fewer restrictions than Skokie.
Des Plaines, IL
Cook County
Illinois law (65 ILCS 5/11-30-9) empowers the Des Plaines City Council to require fences around, or protective covers over, private residential swimming pools, and the City enforces residential pool barrier requirements through the International Residential Code adopted in Title 10 of the City Code.
View full Des Plaines rules →Skokie, IL
Cook County
Skokie requires all swimming pools capable of containing 24 inches or more of water to be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high. Barrier standards align with the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code and include gate self-closing and self-latching requirements. Above-ground pools with 48-inch walls may use the pool wall as part of the barrier with a removable ladder.
View full Skokie rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Des Plaines | Skokie |
|---|---|---|
| State Authority | 65 ILCS 5/11-30-9 | - |
| City Code | Des Plaines Title 10, Ch. 2 (IRC + Appendix G) | - |
| Pending State Min. | 42 in (HB2495, not yet law) | - |
| Minimum Height | - | 48 inches |
| Opening Max | - | 4 inches |
| Gate | - | Self-closing, self-latching |
| Latch Height | - | 54 inches minimum |
| Hot Tub Cover | - | ASTM F1346 exempts |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Des Plaines FAQ
Does Des Plaines require a fence around my backyard pool?
Yes. Illinois law (65 ILCS 5/11-30-9) lets the City require fences or protective covers over residential in-ground pools, and Des Plaines enforces a barrier requirement through the International Residential Code (Appendix G) adopted in Title 10 of the City Code.
Is there a statewide 42-inch pool fence rule in Illinois?
Not yet. The Private Swimming Pool Enclosure Act ('Zoe's Law,' HB2495) would set a 42-inch minimum statewide, but as of 2026 it is still a pending bill in the General Assembly, not enacted law.
Skokie FAQ
How tall must my pool fence be in Skokie?
At least 48 inches high. Openings cannot allow passage of a 4-inch sphere, and gates must be self-closing and self-latching with the latch at least 54 inches above the ground.
Can my above-ground pool wall serve as the fence?
Yes, if the wall is at least 48 inches high and the ladder is removable, lockable, or securable when the pool is not in use.
Do I need a fence around my hot tub?
Not if the hot tub has a safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 standards. Uncovered hot tubs capable of holding 24 inches of water require the same barrier as a pool.
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