Racine County, WI Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing Requirements (2026)

Wisconsin's Uniform Dwelling Code (Wis. Admin. Code chs. SPS 320-325), administered by the Department of Safety and Professional Services, regulates one- and two-family dwelling construction statewide and adopts the International Residential Code (IRC) by reference, including IRC Appendix G covering swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs. IRC section AG105.2 sets the residential pool barrier rules: the barrier must be at least 48 inches high measured on the outside, the maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier may not exceed 2 inches, openings may not allow a 4-inch sphere to pass, horizontal members on the pool side that are less than 45 inches apart trigger a maximum 1-3/4-inch mesh size on chain-link panels, and decorative cutouts may not exceed 1-3/4 inches. Pedestrian gates must open outward away from the pool and be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch release mechanism at least 54 inches above the ground when on the pool side, or behind a release device on the pool side. Where a wall of a dwelling forms part of the barrier, doors with direct pool access must be equipped with an alarm or a self-closing/self-latching device. Wisconsin's UDC enforcement model lets each municipality serve as the certified building inspector; in unincorporated towns that have not adopted their own program, Racine County's Development Services Division acts as the UDC inspector. Pool installations also require zoning permits under Racine County Code Chapter 20 (or the local zoning ordinance) for setback, easement, and accessory-structure compliance. No statewide statute requires a pool alarm beyond what AG105 specifies, but municipalities may enact stricter local rules.