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Sarpy County, NE Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Minimum Height
60 inches (Zoning Sec. 34.9.3)
Gap Limit
No opening over 4 inches
Applies To
Outdoor pools 24+ inches deep
House Wall
May form part of enclosure

Summary

Unincorporated Sarpy County sets a taller bar than the base building code: Section 34.9.3 requires every outdoor pool to be fully enclosed by a fence or wall at least 60 inches high, with no gap wider than 4 inches.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Sarpy County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Every outdoor pool shall be completely surrounded by a fence or wall not less than 60 inches in height, which shall be so constructed as not to have openings, holes, or gaps larger than 4 inches in any dimension except for doors and gates; and if a picket fence is erected or maintained, the horizontal dimension shall not exceed 4 inches.

Source: Nebraska Revised StatutesView official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

Section 34.9.3 of the Sarpy County Zoning Regulations governs pool fences in the unincorporated county. The barrier must stand at least 60 inches (five feet) tall, higher than the 48-inch floor in the base residential code, and no opening, hole, or gap may exceed 4 inches; picket spacing is capped at 4 inches too. A house wall or accessory building may form part of the enclosure. The rule reaches any outdoor pool 24 inches or more in depth. Bellevue, Papillion, and La Vista run their own pool-fence ordinances inside their limits.

Violations & Fines

A pool without the 60-inch enclosure, or with gaps over 4 inches, fails inspection and cannot be filled or used. The property owner is directly liable for providing and maintaining the barrier.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall must a pool fence be in Sarpy County?
At least 60 inches in the unincorporated county under Zoning Section 34.9.3: taller than the 48-inch base-code minimum. No gap in the barrier may exceed 4 inches.
Does my house wall count as the fence?
Yes. A dwelling or accessory building may serve as part of the required enclosure, as long as the rest of the barrier meets the 60-inch and 4-inch-gap standards.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Sarpy County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsPool PermitsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Neighbor Fence RulesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Breed RestrictionsSome RestrictionsFire Regulations: Outdoor BurningSome RestrictionsFire Regulations: Brush ClearanceFew Restrictions

All Sarpy County rules

Compare Sarpy County to another location·View the Nebraska swimming pools & spas overview

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