Portsmouth, VA Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)

Under Sec. 2-305(B) of the Zoning Ordinance, all fence or wall construction, reconstruction, replacement, or relocation in Portsmouth must first obtain a Zoning Permit, and compliance with the fence section must occur before a building or zoning permit is issued, whichever comes first. Subsection (B)(6) singles out pools: any fence serving as a pool barrier must comply with all state and local standards, which pulls in the Uniform Statewide Building Code's residential pool enclosure requirements (self-closing, self-latching gates and a barrier that prevents a young child from gaining access) on top of the zoning rules.

General fence standards still apply to a pool enclosure: residential rear and side yard fences may run up to 6 feet, chain-link fencing is allowed but cannot be opaque or carry slats, and prohibited fence materials citywide include barbed wire (unless approved through a security plan), razor wire, and concertina wire. The Zoning Administrator reviews the permit application and can require a security plan under Sec. 2-305(E) if an owner wants a taller or non-standard barrier. Because the pool fence must independently satisfy the Building Code's pool barrier provisions, an owner cannot rely on a decorative fence that meets only the zoning height and material rules; the barrier itself must be self-closing and self-latching to pass inspection before the pool can be filled and used.