Cedar Hill requires a minimum 48-inch (4-foot) barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates around all pools and spas deeper than 24 inches. Doors from the home to the pool need alarms or self-closing latches, per the adopted International Residential Code Appendix V.
Cedar Hill enforces residential pool barrier requirements through the International Residential Code (IRC) Appendix V/G as adopted, plus local amendments. All pools and spas with water depth over 24 inches must be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches tall measured from the outside ground; gaps in the barrier cannot exceed 4 inches anywhere and 1.75 inches at the ground; openings between pickets cannot allow a 4-inch sphere to pass. Gates must open outward away from the pool, be self-closing, and have a self-latching mechanism with the release at least 54 inches above the ground (or located on the pool side of the gate). When the home wall serves as part of the barrier, all doors leading directly to the pool area must have either an audible alarm sounding within 7 seconds of opening or a self-closing/self-latching mechanism, and operable windows facing the pool must have screens limiting opening to 4 inches or be alarmed. Above-ground pools with sides at least 48 inches tall and removable/lockable ladders may use the pool wall as the barrier. Permit and inspection through Cedar Hill Building Inspections required before water fill.
Failure of inspection forces drain-down until corrected; Class C misdemeanor citations up to $500/day; civil liability for injury/drowning; insurance carrier may deny coverage for non-compliant pools.
Cedar Hill, TX
Cedar Hill does not ban specific dog breeds. Texas Health & Safety Code Ch. 822 preempts breed-specific bans, but dangerous dogs face strict registration, co...
Cedar Hill, TX
Cedar Hill restricts livestock such as horses, cattle, goats, and pigs in residential zones. Large animals are typically only allowed on agricultural-zoned a...
Cedar Hill, TX
Cedar Hill has no city-adopted Wildland-Urban Interface code and no state-mapped wildfire hazard severity zone — Texas has no formal WHSZ system. Wildfire ri...
Cedar Hill, TX
Cedar Hill requires property owners to maintain tree clearance over sidewalks (8 ft) and streets (14 ft). Major pruning of protected trees may need approval;...
Cedar Hill, TX
Cedar Hill requires lawns and weeds to be kept under 12 inches under its property maintenance code. Code Enforcement issues notices and may abate at owner ex...
Cedar Hill, TX
Cedar Hill does not prohibit artificial turf, and Texas Property Code 202.007 limits HOA bans on water-conserving landscaping. Quality, drainage, and screeni...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Dallas County.
See how other cities in Dallas County handle pool barriers.
See how Cedar Hill's pool barriers rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.