Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Hammond

Hammond, IN Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Trigger height
inground pool, or above-ground 2 ft 6 in+
Required barrier
6-foot fence + locking gate kept closed
Guardrail exemption
manufactured guardrail pools exempt from separate fence
Pool permit fee
$25 under § 150.163
Max fine
$2,500 per day, § 150.999(C)

Summary

Hammond requires any inground pool, or an above-ground pool 2 feet 6 inches or taller, to be enclosed by a 6-foot rear-yard fence with a locking gate that stays closed, under Code § 150.132. Pools built with decks and self-contained fencing are exempt from the fence itself but must still keep their locking gate closed.

Where there is in existence an inground swimming pool or an aboveground swimming pool at a height of 2 feet, 6 inches or greater, a rear yard fence with a locking gate, or a fence enclosing the swimming pool, shall be erected to a height of 6 feet. Locking gates shall be kept closed. Swimming pools manufactured with decks and self-contained fences are exempt from this subchapter, except for the provision that locking gates shall be kept closed.

View official code

Full Breakdown

132 sets Hammond's core pool-fencing rule: where an inground swimming pool exists, or an above-ground pool at a height of 2 feet 6 inches or greater, the property needs either a rear-yard fence with a locking gate or a fence enclosing the pool itself, built to a height of 6 feet, and the locking gate has to be kept closed. Pools manufactured with their own decks and self-contained fences are exempt from the separate fence requirement, but the code still holds them to the one rule that carries through regardless of exemption: locking gates must be kept closed.

C. 162 requires the pool be completely enclosed with a 6-foot fence and a locking gate, though a pool with a manufactured guardrail is exempt from the fence if it has a locking ladder or gate kept upright and locked when not in use. 163 before installation, with no permit issued until the Building or Zoning Department approves the location.

Violations & Fines

Failing to enclose a pool as § 150.132 or § 150.162 requires, or leaving a required locking gate open, is punishable under the chapter's general penalty, § 150.999. Violations of §§ 150.161 through 150.164, the above-ground pool, spa and hot tub subchapter, carry a maximum fine of $2,500 under § 150.999(C), with each day of the violation counted as a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Hammond require a fence around a swimming pool?
Yes. Code § 150.132 requires a rear-yard fence with a locking gate, or a fence enclosing the pool, built to a height of 6 feet, for any inground pool or above-ground pool 2 feet 6 inches or taller in the City of Hammond, Indiana. The locking gate has to be kept closed at all times.
Are above-ground pools with built-in decks exempt from Hammond's fence rule?
Partly. Section 150.132 exempts pools manufactured with decks and self-contained fences from the separate fence requirement, but the exemption keeps one condition: the locking gate on that pool still has to be kept closed. A guardrail-equipped above-ground pool gets a similar exemption under § 150.162, if its ladder or gate locks and stays upright when not in use.
Do I need a permit for an above-ground pool in Hammond?
Yes. Section 150.163 sets a $25 permit fee for above-ground pools, spas and hot tubs, and no permit is issued until the Building or Zoning Department has approved the pool's location. Section 150.161 also requires the pool to sit at least 3 feet from property lines and buildings, outside the required front-yard setback.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Hammond

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsPool PermitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesHeavy RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome Restrictions

All Hammond rules

Compare Hammond to another location·View the Indiana swimming pools & spas overview

Get notified when Fencing & Safety Requirements in Hammond, IN changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.