Pitkin County, CO Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing Requirements (2026)

The Pitkin County Building Department, located in Aspen, enforces the 2021 family of I-Codes effective January 30, 2023, including the 2021 ISPSC adopted under Pitkin County Code Section 11.40.010 and the 2021 IRC (with Appendices AE, AF, AH, AK and AQ) adopted under Section 11.20.010. Under 2021 ISPSC Section 305, residential pool and spa barriers must be at least 48 inches above finished grade measured on the side facing away from the pool. Openings in the barrier may not allow passage of a 4-inch sphere. Gates that are part of the barrier must open outward away from the pool and be both self-closing and self-latching; the latch release must be at least 54 inches above the bottom of the gate, or located on the pool side of the gate at least 3 inches below the top. Where a wall of the dwelling forms part of the barrier, doors with direct access to the pool must be equipped with an audible alarm or other approved means of protection. Public, semi-public, and HOA pools located in Pitkin County are also regulated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment under 5 CCR 1003-5 (Swimming Pools and Mineral Baths), which requires a fence at least 60 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates whose latch is at least 54 inches high, picket spacing not greater than 4 inches, and accessible entrances; separate wading pools require a 3-foot fence. A separate pool/spa permit is required from the Pitkin County Building Department, and barriers are verified at final inspection.