Sioux Falls, SD Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum barrier height
- 48 inches
- Trigger depth
- Over 24 inches of water
- Gates
- Self-closing and self-latching
- Governing section
- § 150.096 (IPMC § 303.2)
- Max penalty
- $500 fine / 30 days (§ 10.999)
Summary
Sioux Falls requires private pools, hot tubs, and spas holding more than 24 inches of water to be enclosed by a self-closing, self-latching fence or barrier at least 48 inches tall under the city's Property Maintenance Code.
Private swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas containing water more than 24 inches (610 mm) in depth shall be completely surrounded by a fence or barrier not less than 48 inches (1,219 mm) in height above the finished ground level measured on the side of the barrier away from the pool. Gates and doors in such barriers shall be self-closing and self-latching. Self- closing and self-latching gates shall be maintained such that the gate will positively close and latch when released from an open position of 6 inches (152
mm) from the gatepost. An existing pool enclosure shall not be removed, replaced, or changed in a manner that reduces its effectiveness as a safety barrier. Exception: Spas or hot tubs with a safety cover that complies with ASTM F 1346 shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-135: Current through local ordinance 54-26, passed 7-14-2026).
Full Breakdown
Under Sioux Falls Code of Ordinances § 150.096 (the city's amendments to the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code, § 303.2), any private swimming pool, hot tub, or spa deeper than 24 inches must be completely surrounded by a fence or barrier at least 48 inches high, measured from the ground on the side away from the pool. Gates and doors in the barrier must be self-closing and self-latching, positively closing and latching from 6 inches open. An existing pool enclosure cannot be removed, replaced, or altered in a way that weakens it as a safety barrier. Spas or hot tubs with an ASTM F1346-compliant locking safety cover are exempt. New pool construction permitted since January 1, 2022 also falls under the separately adopted Swimming Pool and Spa Code barrier design standards (§ 150.402, ISPSC § 305).
Violations & Fines
Code officials cite noncompliant enclosures as property maintenance violations; unresolved cases go to administrative citation under Title III, Ch. 40, or general penalty under § 10.999: up to a $500 fine, 30 days in jail, or both, with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every backyard pool in Sioux Falls need a fence?
Are hot tubs exempt from the barrier rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sioux Falls
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