Minnesota State Building Code adopts the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code with state amendments, setting uniform pool barrier rules statewide. Local governments cannot adopt weaker standards, ensuring consistent fencing, gate, and entrapment protections.
Under Minn. Stat. section 326B.106, the State Building Code is the standard building code throughout Minnesota and supersedes local ordinances. Minn. Rules Chapter 1341 incorporates the ISPSC, requiring barriers at least 48 inches high around residential pools, self-closing self-latching gates opening outward, and limited gaps under fences. Public pools follow Minn. Rules Chapter 4717 (Health Department). The code is mandatory in code-enforcing jurisdictions and serves as the standard elsewhere. Cities may add stricter local rules only as allowed by Minn. Stat. 326B.121.
Failure to comply may result in stop-work orders, occupancy denial, civil penalties, and misdemeanor prosecution under Minn. Stat. 326B.082.
See how Buffalo's pool barriers rules stack up against other locations.
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