Madison, AL Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)

The City adopts Section 305 of the 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) for pool barriers, whose intent is to prevent uncontrolled access by children from a street, adjacent property, or the home. A minimum 4-foot fence that will not permit passage of a 4-inch sphere is required. Chain-link fences or fences with horizontal or diagonal members trigger additional Section 305 requirements. If a house wall serves as part of the barrier, doors and windows leading to the pool must have alarms or other approved systems. Shadowbox fences typically do not qualify. Where an existing neighbor's fence is used, it must be retrofitted to code and each shared-fence neighbor must submit a signed agreement.