Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Bonneville County, ID Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Pool setback from property line
5 feet minimum
Barrier height
5 feet minimum
Max opening size
36 square inches (except gates)
Gate hardware
Self-closing and self-latching
Cover exception
Approved cover can substitute for fencing

Summary

A swimming pool in unincorporated Bonneville County that isn't inside a building with solid walls must sit at least 5 feet from the property line and be fully enclosed by a 5-foot fence or wall, with self-closing, self-latching gates.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Bonneville County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

SWIMMING POOLS.

(A) Swimming pools not completely enclosed within a building having solid walls shall be set back at least five feet from the property lines and shall be completely surrounded by fence or wall having a height of at least five feet.

(B) There shall be no openings larger than 36 square inches except for gates, which shall be equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices. Installation of an adequate approved cover may be substituted for the fencing requirements.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-1: Ordinance 280-26, passed 1-20-2026).

Full Breakdown

035 sets the barrier standard for any swimming pool not completely enclosed within a building having solid walls: a minimum 5-foot setback from the property lines and a fence or wall around the entire pool at least 5 feet tall. The ordinance also limits gaps in that barrier, prohibiting openings larger than 36 square inches anywhere except at gates, and every gate must be equipped with a self-closing and self-latching device so it can't be left ajar. 035 expressly allows "installation of an adequate approved cover" to substitute for the fencing requirement.

This sits inside Chapter 156's supplementary regulations to zones, meaning it applies on top of whatever dimensional standards govern the property's zone (A-1, RA-1 through RA-4, R-1, R-2, R-3, and so on), and it applies countywide in the unincorporated area regardless of zone. There is no minimum pool size or capacity threshold written into the section, so above-ground and in-ground pools alike must meet the setback, barrier height, opening size and gate-latch requirements unless the pool sits inside a solid-walled structure.

Violations & Fines

A pool built without the required 5-foot setback, without a compliant 5-foot fence or wall (or an approved cover in its place), or with gate openings larger than 36 square inches or gates lacking self-closing, self-latching hardware, is a zoning violation. Chapter 156's general enforcement penalty applies: an infraction punishable by a $100 fine, with each day of noncompliance treated as a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far must a pool be from my property line in Bonneville County?
At least 5 feet, per § 156.035, unless the pool is completely enclosed inside a building with solid walls, in which case the pool setback rule doesn't apply and only the building's own zone setback controls.
Can I skip the fence if I use a pool cover?
Yes. Section 156.035 lets an adequate, approved pool cover substitute for the fencing requirement, so a covered pool doesn't need the 5-foot fence or wall as long as the cover is used.
Do pool gates need to lock automatically?
Yes. Gates in the required pool barrier must have self-closing and self-latching devices; ordinary hinged gates without that hardware don't satisfy § 156.035.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Bonneville County

All Bonneville County rules

Compare Bonneville County to another location·View the Idaho swimming pools & spas overview

Get notified when Fencing & Safety Requirements in Bonneville County, ID changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.