Fort Worth requires a barrier of at least 48 inches around any residential swimming pool, spa, or hot tub under Appendix Q of the adopted 2021 International Residential Code (Fort Worth Construction Code). Openings cannot allow a 4-inch sphere to pass; the gap below the barrier cannot exceed 2 inches; gates must open outward away from the pool and be self-closing and self-latching. Multifamily and HOA-owned pools are additionally subject to Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 757.
Fort Worth has adopted the 2021 International Residential Code, including Appendix Q (Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs), as part of its construction code. Section AQ105.2(1) requires the top of the barrier to be at least 48 inches above grade measured on the side facing away from the pool. Bottom clearance between barrier and grade may not exceed 2 inches on the side facing away from the pool, and openings in the barrier may not allow passage of a 4-inch-diameter sphere (AQ105.2(2)). Where horizontal members are spaced less than 45 inches apart, vertical members may not be spaced more than 1.75 inches apart (AQ105.2(3)). Gates must comply with AQ105.2(8) β open outward away from the pool, be self-closing and self-latching, and where the latch release is less than 54 inches from the bottom of the gate, the release must be at least 3 inches below the top with no opening greater than 0.5 inch within 18 inches of the release. Above-ground pool walls may serve as part of the barrier if the structure is at least 48 inches above grade. Multifamily rental complexes and pools owned, controlled, or maintained by a property owners association are additionally subject to Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 757 (Pool Yard Enclosures), which sets independent 48-inch enclosure rules and restricts use of building walls (with door/window limits for buildings constructed on or after January 1, 1994). Fort Worth Code Compliance enforces these requirements at the residential level; Tarrant County Public Health may inspect public pools under 25 TAC Chapter 265.
Constructing a residential pool without a code-compliant 48-inch barrier or operating with a non-self-closing/self-latching gate is a violation of the Fort Worth Construction Code. Each day a violation continues may be prosecuted as a separate Class C misdemeanor under Texas Local Government Code Β§54.001 with fines up to $2,000 per day for public-health and safety violations. Code Compliance may issue stop-work orders, withhold the certificate of occupancy, and refuse final inspection. Multifamily/HOA pool violations of Texas H&S Code Chapter 757 expose the owner to injunctive relief under Β§757.012 and potential negligence-per-se liability in drowning litigation.
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