Lehigh County, PA Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing Requirements (2026)

Pennsylvania is one of the few states with a uniform statewide construction code. The Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, Act 45 of 1999 (35 P.S. §7210.101 - 7210.1103), established the Uniform Construction Code and required all municipalities to either administer it locally or opt out and rely on Department of Labor & Industry administration. The UCC at 34 Pa. Code Chapter 403 adopts the International Residential Code (IRC), including IRC Appendix AG ('Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs') and Section AG105 (Barrier Requirements). Section AG105 applies to all residential pools, spas, and hot tubs with water depth greater than 24 inches. Required barriers must be at least 48 inches in height measured on the side away from the pool. Maximum vertical clearance under the barrier is 2 inches above grade (4 inches above a solid pool deck surface). No openings in the barrier may allow passage of a 4-inch-diameter sphere. Solid barriers must not have indentations or protrusions usable as handholds or footholds. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching; the latch release mechanism must be located at least 54 inches above the bottom of the gate (or shielded so it cannot be reached by a child). Where a wall of the dwelling forms part of the barrier, doors with direct access to the pool must be equipped with an alarm or self-closing/self-latching device complying with AG105.2. Building permits are issued by each Lehigh County municipality's building code official or by a registered third-party agency under 34 Pa. Code §403.21. Per 35 P.S. §7210.501, the UCC pool requirements do not apply to pools constructed before the act's effective date (April 9, 2004).