Nash County, NC Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Fence required
- Yes, for every outdoor pool in covered districts
- Building separation
- Minimum 5 ft from principal building, water's edge to structure
- Governing section
- UDO § 11-4.75(A)-(C)
- Civil penalty
- $100 per day for an unfenced pool
Summary
Unincorporated Nash County requires every outdoor swimming pool on residential, office-institutional or commercial property to be protected by a fence under the Unified Development Ordinance. The pool section also sets a 5-foot minimum separation between a detached pool and the principal building, measured to the water's edge.
11-4.75.Swimming Pool.(A)Where Required. All residential, OI, and commercial districts. ... (C)Security Fencing. Swimming pools located outdoors shall be protected by a fence in accordance with Article II, Section 2-4.171-(a) Swimming Pool Barrier.
Full Breakdown
75 of the Unified Development Ordinance covers swimming pools on private property controlled by a homeowner and limited to family and invited guests. Under (A) Where Required, the section applies in all residential, OI and commercial districts. 3(B)(1). Under (C) Security Fencing, the ordinance requires that 'swimming pools located outdoors shall be protected by a fence,' cross-referencing the Article II swimming pool barrier definition for the fencing standard itself. 74(a)(G), which likewise requires an outdoor pool to be protected by a fence and made subject to state and local public swimming pool regulations.
Gross square footage for a pool, for sizing and setback purposes, is measured as the total of the pool plus any decking or aprons built as part of it (Sec. 75(B)(3)).
Violations & Fines
An unfenced or nonconforming pool is enforced through the standard UDO process: the Zoning Administrator issues a written Notice of Violation identifying the deficiency and required fix (Sec. 5-3.1), appealable to the Board of Adjustment within 30 days (Sec. 7-1). If not corrected, the county can assess a civil penalty of $100 per day, with each additional day a separate offense (Sec. 5-5.1, 5-5.4), and may deny or revoke related permits (Sec. 5-4.3, 5-4.5) or pursue a misdemeanor charge under NCGS 14-4 (Sec. 5-4.6).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my backyard pool need a fence in Nash County?
How far does my pool need to be from my house?
What if my pool isn't fenced?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nash County
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