Johnson County, KS Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing Requirements (2026)

Authority: Johnson County Code of Resolutions, Chapter 18 (Buildings & Building Regulations) and the Code of Resolutions for Buildings & Construction, 2018 Edition, which incorporates the International Residential Code (IRC) for one- and two-family dwellings. A swimming pool requires a permit when it can hold water more than 24 inches (610 mm) deep, including in-ground, above-ground, on-ground pools, hot tubs, and spas. Permit submittals must include a site plan with barrier dimensions, fence type, gate specifications, contractor name, and installation dates. Per IRC barrier rules adopted in the County code, the top of the barrier must be at least 48 inches above grade measured on the side facing away from the pool, with no more than a 2-inch gap between grade and the bottom of the barrier; openings must not allow passage of a 4-inch sphere; pedestrian gates must open outward away from the pool and must be self-closing and self-latching. Pools must also follow the Residential Swimming Pool APSP-15 compliance information sheet from the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance. Final inspection — including barrier verification — is required, and the pool may not be filled until the Certificate of Occupancy is issued. Cities inside Johnson County (Overland Park, Olathe, Lenexa, Shawnee, Mission, etc.) enforce their own building-code adoptions inside their limits.