Moss Point, MS Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing Requirements (2026)

Mississippi authorizes statewide adoption of the International Building and Residential Codes through Miss. Code Ann. § 17-25-21, which establishes the Mississippi Building Code Council. Mississippi adopted the 2018 IBC/IRC family. For one- and two-family residential swimming pools, IRC Appendix AG, Section AG105 (Barrier Requirements) governs: barriers must be at least 48 inches high measured on the outside; the maximum vertical clearance at grade is 2 inches; openings must not allow passage of a 4-inch sphere; for fences with horizontal members spaced less than 45 inches apart, vertical spacing cannot exceed 1.75 inches. Gates must open outward away from the pool, be self-closing and self-latching; where the latch release is less than 54 inches above the bottom of the gate, the release must be on the pool side at least 3 inches below the top of the gate. The William Lee Montjoy Pool Safety Act (Miss. Code Ann. §§ 45-43-1 through 45-43-31) imposes more detailed enclosure and gate requirements: under § 45-43-7 a covered pool yard must be completely enclosed, chain-link fencing is prohibited for new pool yard enclosures constructed after July 1, 2012, and § 45-43-9 requires gate latches at least 60 inches above the ground (with limited exceptions). By its terms the Montjoy Act applies to property owners or owners' associations that own, control, or maintain a public, semi-public, hotel, motel, apartment, or HOA pool — not a private single-family residential pool. The Moss Point Community Development Department (228-475-0300) issues pool building permits and conducts barrier inspections at final.