Dakota County, MN Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)

Minnesota Rules part 4717.1550, titled Pool Access Restriction; Fencing, is the fence standard for public pools in Dakota County. It is a Minnesota Department of Health rule in Chapter 4717. Subpart 1 sets the goal: access to a public pool must be controlled to effectively prevent the entrance of children. Where fencing is the control, it must comply with subparts 2 to 6, except for the indoor option in subpart 1, item B, subitem (2).

Subpart 2 lists five requirements. The fence must be at least five feet high. Its gates must be self-closing and self-latching and capable of being locked. No opening in the fence can be greater than four inches, and no opening below the fence can be greater than two inches. The design cannot be readily climbable. Subpart 6 adds that latches for new installations must be four feet above the ground.

Older fences get a narrower rule. Under subpart 3, fencing in existence prior to January 4, 1995, that is less than five feet high must be no less than four feet high, with self-closing, self-latching gates capable of being locked, no opening greater than four inches, and a design that is not readily climbable. The two-inch limit below the fence is not repeated in subpart 3.

Subpart 4 covers wading pools: the enclosure fence must be at least 42 inches high for existing installations and 48 inches high for new installations. Subpart 5 limits new chain link: mesh cannot exceed 1-1/2 inch for fencing less than eight feet high, and fencing eight foot high or higher must have mesh that does not exceed two inches.

A pool inside a building or enclosure has options under subpart 1, item B. It can sit in a separate room with self-latching doors that restrict access to the room, or be behind fencing or a comparable barrier at least four feet high with self-closing, self-latching doors or gates. Poolside guest rooms, corridors adjacent to poolside guest rooms, and poolside activity areas can be within the pool enclosure.