King County, WA Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum barrier height
- 60 inches
- Triggering pool depth
- over 24 inches of water
- Gate requirement
- self-closing and self-latching
- Low-latch rule
- release on pool side if under 54 in
- Applies in
- unincorporated King County only
Summary
Unincorporated King County requires private pools, hot tubs and spas over 24 inches deep to be fully enclosed by a 60-inch barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates.
Private swimming pools, hot tubs and spas, containing water more than twenty-four inches (610 mm) in depth shall be completely surrounded by a fence or barrier at least sixty inches (1,524 mm) in height above the finished ground level measured on the side of the barrier away from the pool. Gates and doors in such areas shall be self-closing and self-latching.
Full Breakdown
King County's Property Maintenance Code substitutes its own enclosure standard for IPMC Section 303.2. Any private swimming pool, hot tub or spa holding more than 24 inches of water needs a fence or barrier at least 60 inches high, measured from the ground on the side away from the pool. Gates must self-close and self-latch; if the latch sits below 54 inches, the release mechanism has to be on the pool side of the gate, and the gate must positively close and latch from as little as a 6-inch opening. Owners cannot remove, replace or alter an existing enclosure in a way that weakens it as a safety barrier. This applies only in unincorporated King County. Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Federal Way, Auburn, Redmond, Kirkland, Sammamish, Burien, Shoreline, Issaquah and other incorporated cities enforce their own municipal codes.
Violations & Fines
Enforced by King County Department of Local Services code enforcement as a Property Maintenance Code violation; owners can face a notice of violation and civil penalties for a missing, undersized or non-latching barrier.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high does my pool fence need to be in unincorporated King County?
Does this rule apply inside Seattle?
Can I remove my pool fence temporarily?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in King County
Compare King County to another location·View the Washington swimming pools & spas overview
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