Rosenberg requires private residential swimming pool barriers under the 2018 International Residential Code and 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, both adopted in Chapter 1 of the Code of Ordinances. Standard residential pool barrier rules under IRC Appendix G / ISPSC §305 apply: barrier at least 48 inches high, gaps not exceeding 4 inches, self-closing and self-latching gates with the latch release at least 54 inches above ground (or shielded if lower). Prefabricated pools less than 24 inches deep do not require a building permit. Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 757 imposes additional pool yard enclosure standards on multifamily complexes and certain HOA-owned pools statewide.
Rosenberg's Building Permits and Inspections Division states that all plans submitted for review must comply with the 2018 International Codes, including the 2018 International Building Code, 2018 International Residential Code, and 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, adopted by reference in Chapter 1 of the Code of Ordinances. The 2018 IRC Appendix G (Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs) — which Texas municipalities typically adopt as the binding residential pool barrier standard — and the 2018 ISPSC §305 (Permanent Barrier Requirements) require: barrier height of at least 48 inches measured from the finished ground on the side of the barrier facing away from the pool; maximum 4-inch ground clearance under the barrier (2 inches over a hard surface); maximum 4-inch openings between vertical members; horizontal members at least 45 inches apart on the pool side (or, if closer than 45 inches, vertical opening reduced to 1.75 inches); self-closing and self-latching gates that open outward away from the pool, with latch release at least 54 inches above ground (or, if lower, shielded so it cannot be reached by a child reaching through openings within 18 inches of the latch); and a continuous barrier with no climbable openings 1.75 inches or larger between 1.75 inches and 4 inches in width. Where a wall of a dwelling forms part of the barrier, all doors leading to the pool must have an audible alarm or self-closing/self-latching device, or the pool must have a power safety cover meeting ASTM F1346. Rosenberg's Building Permits page expressly notes one exemption: 'prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep' do not require a building permit, but if the pool exceeds 24 inches deep or holds more than 5,000 gallons (per IRC R105.2 and ISPSC), it is regulated and must comply with barrier requirements. Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 757 imposes statewide minimum pool-yard enclosure requirements on apartment complexes and condominiums (effective for buildings over four dwelling units): TX HSC §757.003 requires a minimum 48-inch enclosure with self-closing/self-latching gates and lockable from the inside between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.; HOA-owned pools serving more than four units must comply. Single-family residential pools are governed by the IRC/ISPSC, not Chapter 757.
Constructing or altering a pool without the required building permit, or installing a non-compliant barrier, is a violation of Chapter 1 of the Code of Ordinances and is a Class C misdemeanor under the City's general penalty provision, with fines up to $2,000 per day for building/health/safety code violations under Texas Local Government Code §54.001. Stop-work orders and denial of final inspection / certificate of completion until barriers are brought into compliance are routine remedies. Multifamily/HOA pool-yard violations under Texas Health and Safety Code §757.005 can result in injunctive action and civil penalties of up to $50 per day per violation enforced by the city or county attorney. Civil liability for an unfenced pool can attach under the Texas attractive nuisance doctrine.
Rosenberg, TX
Rosenberg adopts the 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code by reference and requires a residential building permit for any swimming pool, with city r...
Rosenberg, TX
Rosenberg requires multi-family developments to install eight-foot decorative masonry walls and limits commercial perimeter property line fences to chain lin...
Rosenberg, TX
Rosenberg Sec. 1-481 prohibits fences from being built on or overhanging a property line and lets the city remove dilapidated fences at the owner's expense a...
Rosenberg, TX
Rosenberg requires a residential building permit for any fence over seven feet tall, plus contractor registration; doing fence work without the proper permit...
Rosenberg, TX
Rosenberg does not impose a flat residential fence height cap because it has no traditional zoning, but any fence taller than seven feet requires a residenti...
Rosenberg, TX
Rosenberg requires every property to keep weeds, grass, and brush under twelve inches tall, with limited exemptions for agricultural acreage.
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