Everett, MA Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)

Section 4-2 of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Everett, Massachusetts, titled Enclosures for Private Swimming Pools, is one of the older rules in Chapter 4 and carries a 1976 revised-ordinance lineage. Subsection (a) says every private swimming pool, as defined in the Massachusetts State Building Code, must be completely surrounded at all times, whether or not the pool is filled with water, by a fence or wall not less than five feet in height. The requirement does not depend on the pool holding water, so an empty or partly built pool still needs the enclosure.

There is one grandfathering clause: fences or walls in existence on the effective date of the ordinance from which the section derives satisfy the requirement if they are not less than four feet in height. A new fence in Everett does not get that break.

The fence or wall cannot have openings, holes or gaps larger than four inches, except for doors and gates. Picket fences are held to the same four-inch limit between pickets. Subsection (a) adds three more details: a fence, wall, gate or door with gaps or holes must be covered on the inside with canvas or other similar substance so the pool cannot be seen from outside the fence, a building can be used as part of the enclosure, and elevated platforms around above-ground pools equipped with steps and railings do not count as a satisfactory fence enclosure.

Subsection (b) covers gates and doors. Each must be at least as tall as the fence or wall and must have a self-closing, self-latching device located at least four feet above the underlying ground and inaccessible from the outside to small children. Every gate or door must be kept locked at all times when the pool is unoccupied or not in use, and gates and doors must reach to ground level, leaving only enough space for opening and closing. The Inspector of Buildings enforces the Chapter 4 building rules for the City of Everett.