Kansas Childcare Pool Fencing Standards Statewide

Kansas Administrative Regulation 28-4-129, administered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), establishes pool barrier standards that apply universally to licensed child care homes and centers regardless of municipal location. Inground pools must be surrounded by a fence at least five feet high with openings no greater than 3.5 inches, kept in good repair. Each gate must be at least five feet high, self-closing, self-locking, and remain closed and locked when the pool is not in supervised use. Aboveground pools must have non-climbable sidewalls of at least four feet, or be enclosed by a five-foot fence. Steps and ladders must be removed and stored when the pool is not in use. The regulation applies in addition to local building codes.

KDHE may issue notices of deficiency, suspend or revoke childcare licenses, and impose civil penalties. Continued operation without compliant barriers can trigger emergency license suspension.