Greene County, MO Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing Requirements (2026)

Greene County has adopted the 2012 International Residential Code, the 2012 International Building Code, related 2012 International Codes, and the 2011 National Electric Code with amendments. The IRC's pool barrier requirements (Appendix G, when adopted, otherwise §R326/AG105 in the 2012 IRC) apply to private residential swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas containing water more than 24 inches deep. Greene County's published residential swimming pool installation rules confirm: maximum vertical clearance between finished grade and the bottom of the barrier is 2 inches measured on the side away from the pool; openings in the barrier must not allow a 4-inch-diameter sphere to pass; for above-ground pools the barrier may be at finished ground level (the pool wall itself) or be mounted on top of the pool structure. When a wall of a dwelling forms part of the barrier, doors with direct pool access must have an alarm meeting UL 2017 that activates within 7 seconds of opening and sounds continuously for at least 30 seconds. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching with the latch at least 54 inches above grade (IRC AG105.2). A building permit is required from the Greene County Building Regulations Office (417-868-4015) before installing an in-ground or above-ground pool, and inspections must be scheduled at least one business day in advance. Inside the City of Springfield, Springfield's adopted IRC pool-barrier rules apply.