East Orange, NJ Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)

East Orange City Code Chapter 246, Swimming Pools: Fencing, covers any pool, whether permanently installed, portable or collapsible, whose sidewall sits more than 50% below grade. Section 246-1 requires that pool to be surrounded by a fence, wall or other enclosure with a height of no less than 48 inches, and the enclosure's gate must be kept latched or locked whenever the pool contains water and is unattended, specifically for the purpose of effectively excluding children or trespassers. The chapter's origin traces to the original 1968 Code (Ch.

9, §§ 9:8-1 through 9:8-2), adopted by the City Council on 3-25-1968 by Ordinance No. 20-1968, and it applies citywide to any pool constructed, installed, placed, established or maintained on any premises. This fencing duty sits alongside the separate permit requirement in § 246-2: an owner, operator or occupant cannot maintain, operate or use a covered pool without first securing a permit from the Public Officer that documents compliance with the § 246-1 fencing standard, tying the barrier requirement directly to the permitting process.