South Bend, IN Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)

Chapter 14, Article 3 of the South Bend Code of Ordinances sets pool safety rules, but only for a defined slice of pools. Section 14-12(a) applies this Article to residential swimming pools installed, or for which a permit was obtained, before September 13, 1989. Section 14-12(b) hands every pool installed or permitted on or after that date to the Indiana Swimming Pool Code (675 IAC 20), adopted into City law by Section 6-5, which the code notes defines 'residential swimming pool' more broadly than this Article does.

Any addition or alteration made on or after September 13, 1989 to an older pool or its fence, aside from ordinary repair and maintenance, must also meet the state code. 1 defines a covered pool as any in-ground or above-ground body of water with a filtered water supply that holds 48 inches or more of water at any point and is used by the owner, tenant or their family and guests. Section 14-13 requires that owner, tenant or occupant to maintain a safety ladder, keep that ladder locked whenever the pool isn't in use, remove removable pool steps when not in use, and maintain a barrier of 48 inches or more around every side of the pool; an above-ground pool's own wall satisfies the barrier requirement.