Sioux City, IA Fence Regulations: Pool Barriers (2026)

Iowa law splits pool barrier requirements into two tracks. (1) Public, commercial, and multi-family pools: Iowa Code chapter 135I (Swimming Pools, Spas, and Spray Pads) gives the Iowa Department of Public Health rulemaking authority, exercised through Iowa Administrative Code 641 chapter 15. The IAC 641-15 rules require a barrier not less than four feet (48 inches) high, with no opening allowing passage of a four-inch sphere, gate at least 36 inches wide with self-closing and self-latching hardware where lifeguard supervision is not provided, and additional spacing rules: where horizontal members are spaced less than 45 inches apart they must be on the pool side with vertical-member gaps of 1-3/4 inches or less; at 45 inches or more, vertical gaps of 4 inches or less. These rules apply to pools owned or operated by local government, commercial interests, hotels, motels, camps, apartments, condominiums, and health clubs. Iowa Code 135I explicitly excludes single-family residential pools and spas used exclusively for therapy under medical supervision. (2) Single-family residential pools in Sioux City: governed by the city's locally-adopted residential building code at Title 20 chapter 20.04, which typically incorporates the International Residential Code (IRC) Appendix G (Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs - private use) or the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC). Both reference standards require a 48-inch barrier, 4-inch maximum opening (sphere test), 2-inch maximum gap at the bottom on certain ground conditions, self-closing and self-latching outward-opening gates, latch hardware 54 inches above grade or shielded, and limits on climb-aids. Aboveground pool walls may serve as part of the barrier if the ladder is removable or secured. Sioux City's Title 20 chapter 20.04 controls which exact edition of the IRC/ISPSC applies, so verify the current adoption with Building Inspection.