Plainfield, NJ Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)

The fence is part of the pool rules in § 17:9-47 of the Plainfield Municipal Code. Subsection D requires the entire swimming pool, tennis court or racquetball court to be fenced. For a swimming pool the fence must be a minimum of six feet in height; tennis courts and racquetball courts need a fence from eight feet up to twelve feet. The fence must be of such design that it securably controls access to the area. That is the code's access standard, stated in those words, and the subsection does not itemize gate hardware.

On a corner lot where the fence on the side facing the street is nonsolid, that portion of the fence must be adequately screened with evergreen shrubs not less than four feet in height.

The fence is reviewed with the pool permit. The opening paragraph of § 17:9-47 requires adequate surveys, plans and details to be submitted to the Zoning Officer so a determination can be made on the proposed fence zoning conformance, and the pool cannot be built without an approved development permit. The other pool rules sit beside the fence rule: the pool goes in a rear or side yard, the pool surface, attached structures and filtering equipment stay ten feet from any side or rear lot line, and the pool cannot drain into the public sanitary sewer or onto another property. A separate fence section, § 17:9-29, covers fences in general, and the pool fence height and access standard is the one printed in § 17:9-47(D).