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

8 of Brunswick County's Unified Development Ordinance applies to in-ground and above-ground pools with a mechanical filtering system, a water depth over 24 inches, and a surface area of at least 100 square feet. 1, all such outdoor pools must be enclosed with a wire fence or other equivalent-type barrier at least four feet high, designed to protect public safety; the barrier can enclose either just the pool area, the full property boundary, or any part of the property that includes the pool. 2 adds a separate siting rule for private pools on single-family, duplex and triplex lots: the pool, along with its decking and equipment, cannot be located in the front yard and cannot sit closer than five feet to any property line.

4 where the property adjoins a single-family residential district. This barrier and setback standard governs only unincorporated Brunswick County. The incorporated beach towns, Leland, Southport, Oak Island, Shallotte, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, Calabash and Boiling Spring Lakes, each set their own pool-fencing rules under municipal code, so an address inside those towns is not covered by this county provision.