Minneapolis, MN Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum enclosure height
- 4 feet
- Gate hardware
- Self-closing, self-latching required
- Max gap under fence
- 4 inches
- Before building a pool
- Building permit required
- Enforced by
- Building official, zoning administrator
Summary
Outdoor residential pools in Minneapolis must be enclosed by a fence, wall or barrier at least four feet tall with self-closing, self-latching gates and no ground gap over four inches, per City Code § 89.180.
Outdoor private residential swimming pools shall be protected by a fence, wall, building or other enclosure or any combination thereof. All fence openings or points of entry into the pool area enclosure shall be equipped with gates. The fence and gates shall be at least four (4) feet in height. All gates shall be equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices placed at the top of the gate or otherwise inaccessible to small children and provided with hardware for permanent locking devices. The openings between the bottom of the fence and the ground or other surface shall not be more than four (4) inches. (Ord. No. 2019-034, § 1, 8-23-19)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72).
Full Breakdown
Minneapolis requires every outdoor private residential swimming pool, portable or permanent, to be enclosed by a fence, wall, building or other barrier with gates equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices, mounted out of small children's reach, and hardware for a permanent lock (Code § 89.180). The fence and gates must stand at least four feet high, with no gap greater than four inches between the fence bottom and the ground. Pools also need a building permit before construction (§ 89.110), must sit back from the lot line at least the required side-yard distance (§ 89.200), and cannot be maintained in a way that is dangerous to life or health (§ 89.210).
Violations & Fines
An unenclosed pool, a fence under four feet, or gates without self-latching hardware violates Chapter 89, Article III. The building official, zoning administrator, or director of environmental health can order the owner to correct the enclosure or, under § 89.210, to remedy a pool that is dangerous to life or health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an above-ground pool need a fence in Minneapolis?
How close to the property line can a pool be built?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Minneapolis
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Fencing & Safety Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Hennepin County handle fencing & safety requirements.