Rankin County, MS Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing Requirements (2026)

Pool barrier requirements in Rankin County are enforced through the building codes adopted by the County and by the cities of Brandon, Pearl, Richland, Flowood, and Florence. Mississippi's statewide building code structure under MS Code Ann. §17-2-1 et seq. relies heavily on local adoption of the International Residential Code (IRC) and the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), including IRC Appendix G which governs residential pool barriers. Under these standards, an outdoor swimming pool (including in-ground, above-ground, and on-ground pools capable of holding water 24 inches or more in depth) must be surrounded by a barrier at least 48 inches (4 feet) in height measured from the side facing away from the pool. Horizontal members separated by less than 45 inches must be on the pool side of the fence to prevent climbing, and gaps in vertical members must not exceed 1.75 inches (or 4 inches with horizontals spaced more than 45 inches apart). The maximum vertical clearance between the ground and the bottom of the barrier is 2 inches on a solid surface or 4 inches on grass. Gates must open away from the pool, be self-closing and self-latching, with the release mechanism at least 54 inches above the ground on the outside surface (inside is unregulated to allow child access from pool side only with supervision). Where a wall of a dwelling forms part of the barrier, doors opening to the pool area must be equipped with an audible alarm that sounds within 7 seconds of opening, or with self-closing/self-latching hardware with the release at 54 inches minimum. Above-ground pools with sidewalls of 48 inches or more may use the pool structure itself as the barrier provided the ladder or steps are removable, lockable, or enclosed in a barrier when not in use. HOAs in Rankin County communities layer additional requirements, and Mississippi's long pool season (April through October) means barrier compliance is enforced year-round.