Kenosha, WI Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger depth
- 2 feet of water or more
- Fence height range
- 48 inches to 6 feet
- Gate requirement
- Self-closing and self-latching
- Setback for low fences
- 4 ft from pool edge if under 6 ft
- Cover exception
- Fitted cover supporting 100+ lbs
Summary
Kenosha requires a 48-inch to 6-foot self-closing, self-latching fence around any pool, hot tub or spa two feet deep or more under Section 9.18.E, with narrow exceptions for tall pool walls with retractable ladders and covered hot tubs.
E.Enclosures of Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs, or Spas.1.Requirements.a.Every swimming pool, hot tub or spa which has a water depth of two (2) feet or more shall be completely surrounded by a fence or wall at least forty-eight (48) inches in height and not more than six (6) feet in height, nor less than forty-eight (48) inches in height above adjoining grade... b.The enclosure shall be provided with a self-closing and self-latching gate or door, or made inaccessible to children by means approved by the Code Official.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 11 Update 1 | Zoning Ordinance: Supplement 9).
Full Breakdown
E requires every swimming pool, hot tub or spa with a water depth of two feet or more to be completely surrounded by a fence or wall at least 48 inches high and no more than six feet high, measured above adjoining grade, in addition to the pool wall itself for an above-ground pool. The enclosure must have a self-closing and self-latching gate or door, or be made inaccessible to children by a means the Code Official approves. Any enclosure built lower than six feet must sit at least four feet horizontally from the edge of the pool, hot tub or spa.
A building, deck, existing wall or other qualifying barrier can count as part of the required enclosure with Code Official approval. 2 carves out two exceptions: a pool, hot tub or spa with a wall four feet or higher above grade is exempt from the fencing rule if its ladder or steps are hinged at the top and can be raised out of children's reach, and a hot tub or spa with a fitted cover capable of supporting at least 100 pounds is exempt from the enclosure requirement entirely.
1 and F, which require electrical conductor clearance and wiring around pools to follow SPS 316 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code and Article 680 of the National Electrical Code.
Violations & Fines
Operating or maintaining a pool, hot tub or spa two feet deep or more without the required 48-inch to 6-foot enclosure, self-closing gate, or an applicable ladder or cover exception under Section 9.18.E is a Building Code violation subject to Code Official inspection and enforcement, including withholding or revoking the approval insignia required under Section 9.18.C before the pool can be used.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall does my pool fence need to be in Kenosha?
Does my above-ground pool need a separate fence if its wall is already 4 feet tall?
Is a hot tub cover enough instead of a fence in Kenosha?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kenosha
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