Asheville, NC Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)

Section 4-152 applies the swimming pool article to all public and residential pools built in the city after the July 7, 1977 effective date of Ordinance No. 964. Section 4-154(b) sets residential pool standards beyond the barrier: the pool must be of accepted structural design, sit at least five feet from the property line, have a walkway at least three feet wide around an outdoor pool's perimeter, and use an air gap of at least one and a half times the pipe diameter (or a backflow preventer on any hose connection) when introducing water from a potable supply.

The barrier itself must be ornamental wire, wood stave, or another type at least four feet high designed to keep out unauthorized or unwary persons, with self-closing, latching gates of the same height. Section 4-155 requires a building permit from the chief building inspector before any pool construction begins, with plans also sent to the county board of health, which has 20 days to weigh in before the chief building inspector can act independently. Section 4-156 gives the chief building inspector specific responsibility for enforcing the barrier requirement on both public and residential pools.