South Fulton, GA Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum fence height
- 5 feet
- Gate requirement
- Self-closing, positive-latching
- Clearance from enclosure
- 5 feet, unclimbable space
- Governing section
- Zoning Ordinance § 303.17(b)
- Enforcement
- Fulton Co. Board of Health + City § 5-1005
Summary
Every private swimming pool in South Fulton must be fully enclosed by a fence, wall or building at least five feet high with a self-closing, positive-latching gate, under Section 303.17(b) of the zoning code, to keep out unsupervised children and animals.
(b) Swimming pool enclosure required. (1) All swimming pools shall be completely surrounded by an enclosure. (2) Such enclosure shall be a fence, wall, or building, to prevent access to the pool by unsupervised children and/or animals. (3) The enclosure shall be an effective fence or wall not less than five feet high with self-closing, positive-latching gates provided on the outer side of the deck area. (4) The enclosure entrance shall be locked when the pool is not open for use and all surrounding objects or structures must have a separation of five feet from the enclosure to provide an unclimbable space. (5) The enclosure shall be in place prior to pool completion. Materials and construction shall comply with the regulations administered by the Fulton County Board of Health.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
17(b) requires every private swimming pool to be completely surrounded by an enclosure before the pool can be used. The enclosure has to be a fence, wall, or building specifically designed to prevent access by unsupervised children and animals, not just any perimeter barrier. The minimum height is five feet, and any gate in that enclosure must be self-closing with a positive latch, mounted on the outer side of the pool deck area so it cannot be reached from inside. The gate has to be kept locked whenever the pool is not open for use.
The code goes further than just the fence line: anything placed near the enclosure, furniture, equipment, structures, must be set back at least five feet from the fence itself so an unclimbable space is preserved around the barrier. Construction has to comply with regulations administered by the Fulton County Board of Health, and the enclosure must physically be in place before the pool is considered complete, it cannot be added later as an afterthought once the pool is already in use. 17(c), which keep pools, equipment and decks at least ten feet from property lines for detached single-family homes.
Violations & Fines
A pool without a compliant enclosure, or with a gate that isn't self-closing and self-latching, is a violation of Section 303.17(b) and can be flagged during the swimming pool permit inspection or after the fact under City Code § 5-1005. The city issues written notice and a correction deadline; unresolved violations become a misdemeanor prosecuted in Municipal Court, with each day counted separately, and the pool cannot legally be used until the barrier is complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall does my pool fence have to be in South Fulton?
Does the gate need a special latch?
When does the pool fence need to be installed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in South Fulton
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