Bloomington, MN Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing Requirements (2026)

Swimming pool fencing in Bloomington is governed at three layers. State law: Minn. Stat. 326B.106 directs the Department of Labor and Industry to adopt and amend the Minnesota State Building Code, which incorporates the International Residential Code and its pool-barrier provisions (Appendix AG105/Chapter 41 of the IRC). Minn. Stat. 144.1222 (Abigail Taylor Pool Safety Act) and MN Rules Chapter 4717 (administered by the Minnesota Department of Health) set additional safety standards for licensed public pools, including enclosure, drain covers, and operations. City code: Bloomington City Code Chapter 14, Article V (Sec. 14.443) governs licensed public swimming pools and spas; Bloomington City Code Sec. 15.108 governs private residential pool fencing. Public pools: existing facilities must have a minimum 4-foot fence with no openings greater than 4 inches and not of a readily-climbable design; new construction requires a minimum 5-foot fence. Gates must be self-closing, self-latching, and capable of being locked. Private residential below-ground pools must be enclosed by a fence 4 to 6 feet high; if chain-link is used, it must be 11-gauge woven wire mesh with a maximum 2-1/8 inch opening; ground-to-bottom gap must not exceed 4 inches and openings between vertical members must not exceed 4 inches. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching with the latch installed at a minimum height of 4 feet, and the fence must be of an unclimbable design. Above-ground pools 48 inches or deeper must have a fenced and gated access area at the ladder; above-ground pools 24 to 48 inches deep require full perimeter fencing. Permits and plan review are administered by the Bloomington Building and Inspection Division, and licensed public pools are inspected by the Bloomington Public Health Division (an MDH-delegated agency).