Haltom City, TX Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing Requirements (2026)

Pool barrier requirements in Haltom City follow the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) as adopted and are reinforced by Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 757. Every outdoor residential pool or spa more than 24 inches deep must be completely enclosed by a barrier. The barrier must be at least 48 inches high measured from the ground on the outside. The maximum vertical clearance between the ground and the bottom of the barrier is 4 inches (2 inches over solid surfaces). Openings in the barrier must not allow passage of a 4-inch sphere. For vertical picket fences, spacing between pickets must be no more than 1.75 inches where horizontal members are more than 45 inches apart, or up to 4 inches where horizontal members are less than 45 inches apart (this is intended to prevent climbing). Chain link fences cannot have mesh larger than 1.75 inches unless fitted with slats reducing the opening. Gates must open away from the pool, be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch located at least 54 inches above ground on the pool side of the gate. Pedestrian gates in the barrier must be lockable. If the house forms part of the pool enclosure, all doors leading from the house to the pool must have either an alarm sounding for at least 30 seconds when opened, or a self-closing self-latching mechanism with the latch at least 54 inches high, or a powered safety cover. Pool barriers installed before the current code may be grandfathered if they meet earlier standards, but any replacement or substantial alteration triggers full current-code compliance. Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 757 applies to apartment complex pools and required lockable self-closing self-latching gates and fencing before ISPSC adoption; these standards are minimums.