Lee's Summit, MO Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum fence height
- 4 feet from grade
- Opening limit
- no 4-inch sphere may pass through
- Gate hardware
- self-closing, self-latching, at gate top
- Fence posts
- decay/corrosion-resistant, set in concrete
- Alternative for hot tubs/jacuzzis
- locking, latching cover
Summary
Lee's Summit requires every swimming pool, hot tub, sauna or jacuzzi to sit behind a protective fence at least four feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates, under City Code § 7-1009. The enclosure must block any four-inch sphere from passing through, and a locking, latching cover can substitute for fencing around a stand-alone hot tub or jacuzzi.
The area which a swimming pool, sauna, hot tub, or jacuzzi is located shall be entirely enclosed and separated from adjoining property by a protective fence or other permanent structure not less than four (4) feet in height, measured from grade. The enclosure shall be so constructed that a sphere four (4) inches in diameter cannot pass through. Fence posts shall be decay- or corrosion-resistant and shall be set in concrete bases. Such protective enclosure shall be provided with gates equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices placed at the top of the gate; provided, however, that above-grade structures of four (4) feet or greater in height that are equipped with a ladder that can manually be lifted and locked shall not be required to have a protective enclosure. Said ladder shall be locked when the swimming pool, hot tub sauna or jacuzzi is not attended.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 55 | Unified Development Ordinance: Supplement 15).
Full Breakdown
B gives stand-alone hot tubs and jacuzzis a second compliance path: they "may be covered with a latching, protective cover instead of the fencing," but the cover "shall be closed and latched at all times that the hot tub or jacuzzi is not in use," and if it shares an area with a pool or sauna, the pool or sauna still needs its own fence. These barrier rules attach to any pool meeting the § 7-1000 definition (more than 5,000 gallons or deeper than 24 inches), and § 7-1010 layers on a second egress rule, requiring "two (2) or more means of egress in the form of steps or ladders" with "a handrail on both sides," with an exception for pools accessory to one- and two-family dwellings.
Violations & Fines
An unfenced or improperly gated pool is a Chapter 7 violation subject to § 7-177: a fine of up to $500, up to 90 days in jail, or both, with each day of non-compliance after notice treated as a separate offense. The Codes Administration Department can require the barrier corrected before signing off on the pool's final inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall does a pool fence have to be in Lee's Summit?
Can I use a locking cover instead of a fence for my hot tub?
Is there any exception to the pool fencing requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lee's Summit
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Fencing & Safety Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Jackson County handle fencing & safety requirements.