Portland, ME Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing Requirements (2026)

Portland enforces two overlapping pool-barrier regimes. First, 22 M.R.S. §1632 (Enclosure of Swimming Pool Required) is a state public-health statute mandating a fence around every swimming pool, with the limited exemption for portable above-ground pools whose sidewalls are at least 24 inches high; gates and doors through the enclosure 'shall be capable of being securely fastened at all times when not in actual use.' Second, the 2015 International Residential Code adopted through MUBEC (25 M.R.S. §2451) imposes specific dimensional requirements: minimum 48-inch barrier height measured on the outside; maximum 2-inch gap between grade and the bottom of the barrier; openings that will not pass a 4-inch sphere; horizontal members spaced less than 45 inches apart must be on the pool side and vertical spacing between such members must not exceed 1¾ inches. Pedestrian access gates must open outward away from the pool, be self-closing, and have a self-latching device; latch release mechanisms must be at least 54 inches above the ground (or, if lower, on the pool side and shielded). A dwelling wall may form one side of the enclosure if all doors leading to the pool area are equipped with an audible alarm or a self-closing, self-latching device above 54 inches.