Outdoor swimming pools over 18 inches deep in Gaithersburg must be completely enclosed by an approved fence or wall at least 5 feet high. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching with the latch at least 4 feet from the ground on the pool side. Montgomery County Code Section 51-16 governs these requirements.
Montgomery County Code Section 51-16 requires all outdoor swimming pools over 18 inches deep to be protected by an approved barrier. The fence or wall must be at least 5 feet high, securely anchored in the ground, not easy to climb or penetrate, and maintained in good condition. As an alternative to a perimeter fence, the property itself may be fully enclosed by an approved fence or wall if each house door leading to the pool area is equipped with an audible alarm or the pool has an automatic safety cover. All gates and doors in the pool barrier must have self-closing and self-latching hardware with the lock or latch positioned on the pool side at a height of not less than 4 feet from the ground. Gates must remain closed and latched when the pool is unattended. Pools installed before January 1, 1990 must have at minimum a fence at least 42 inches tall or an automatic pool cover. A separate pool barrier permit is required and is reviewed by the Gaithersburg Department of Permitting and Inspections.
Non-compliant pool barrier: code enforcement citation and correction order. Failure to maintain self-closing gate: violation of Sec. 51-16. Pool without required barrier: immediate correction required.
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