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Nashville, TN Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Gate must self-close/latch
from 6 inches off gatepost
Enforcing agency
Dept. of Codes Administration
Coverage
Metro Nashville-Davidson Co., not satellite cities
Penalty
Misdemeanor, each day a separate offense

Summary

Metro's Property Standards Code requires any gate the Building Code already mandates be self-closing and self-latching, pool barrier gates included, to actually work: closing and latching on its own from six inches off the gatepost.

I.Gates. Gates which are required to be self-closing and self-latching, in accordance with the Building Code shall be maintained such that the gate will positively close and latch when released from a still position of six inches from the gatepost.

Source: Residential Pool Permitting – Nashville.govView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 53 | Charter: Republication 9).

Full Breakdown

Metropolitan Code of Laws § 16.24.330(I), part of the Property Standards Code (Chapter 16.24), doesn't set the pool barrier itself, that comes from the adopted Building Code, but it requires that any gate already required to be self-closing and self-latching be maintained so it will positively close and latch when released from a still position six inches from the gatepost. Subsection J separately requires the pool itself be kept safe, clean, sanitary, and in good repair. This applies across Metro Nashville and Davidson County's general services district; it does not reach the six satellite cities (Belle Meade, Berry Hill, Forest Hills, Goodlettsville, Oak Hill, Ridgetop), which enforce their own codes.

Violations & Fines

The Department of Codes Administration issues a notice of violation for a broken or non-latching gate. Failure to correct it is prosecuted as a misdemeanor and a strict-liability offense, with each day of noncompliance counted as a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Nashville's code set the pool fence height?
Not this section: the fence/barrier spec itself comes from the adopted Building Code. Metro's Property Standards Code (§16.24.330(I)) instead requires that any gate the Building Code mandates be self-closing/self-latching actually functions that way.
What counts as a compliant pool gate latch in Metro Nashville?
Per § 16.24.330(I), the gate must positively close and latch on its own when released from a still position six inches from the gatepost.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Nashville

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsPool PermitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome Restrictions

All Nashville rules

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