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

Swimming pool barriers in East Orange are regulated on three levels. (1) Locally, Chapter 246 (Swimming Pools: Fencing), Sections 246-1 and 246-2 of the City of East Orange Code requires that any swimming or wading pool - permanently installed, portable, or collapsible - with any sidewall more than 50% below grade be surrounded by a fence, wall, or other enclosure not less than 48 inches in height. The enclosure must be provided with a gate, which must be kept latched or locked when the pool contains water and is unattended, in order to effectively exclude children and trespassers. No owner, operator, or occupant may maintain or operate a regulated pool without first securing a permit from the Public Officer demonstrating compliance, and applications must be on forms supplied by the city and accompanied by the fee in Chapter 170 (Licenses and Fees). (2) Statewide, the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code, N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.14, adopts the New Jersey edition of the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) and Section R326 of the IRC for any pool or spa more than 24 inches deep. Sections 305.2 through 305.7 of the ISPSC require an outdoor pool barrier at least 48 inches above finished grade on the side facing away from the pool, with no more than a 4-inch gap at the bottom, no openings greater than 4 inches, and gates that are self-closing and self-latching. Where the latch release is less than 54 inches above the bottom of the gate, it must be located on the pool side at least 3 inches below the top. (3) UCC construction and barrier inspections are administered through the East Orange Department of Property Maintenance / Construction Code Office under N.J.A.C. 5:23. A construction permit is required before installing an in-ground or above-ground pool more than 24 inches deep, and a final inspection of the barrier and any required pool alarm or door alarm under ISPSC 305.4/305.5 must be passed before a Certificate of Approval is issued.