Southaven, MS Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing Requirements (2026)

Pool barrier requirements in Southaven, Mississippi flow from a combination of the city's local pool permit process and the Mississippi Residential Code. The Southaven Building Department requires applicants for a pool permit to submit a pool permit application, certificate of compliance, and a diagram showing the intended placement of the pool, with the FAQ stating that 'a security fence must be provided in accordance with code prior to the final inspection of the pool.' The applicable barrier code for residential pools in Mississippi is the International Residential Code, Appendix AG (Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs). Mississippi Code Annotated Title 17, Chapter 2 establishes the Mississippi Building Codes Council and authorizes adoption of statewide minimum codes derived from the International Codes; the council has adopted the 2018 IRC as the residential standard, available at up.codes. Under IRC Appendix AG, Section AG105.2, an outdoor swimming pool, including in-ground, above-ground and on-ground pools, hot tubs and spas, with water more than 24 inches deep must be surrounded by a barrier that is at least 48 inches in height measured on the outside (non-pool) side, with a maximum 2-inch clearance under the barrier above a solid surface (4 inches above grade), and openings that do not allow passage of a 4-inch-diameter sphere. Pedestrian access gates must open outward away from the pool, be self-closing and self-latching, and have the latch release mechanism located at least 54 inches above grade when the gate is less than 60 inches tall. Where a residence's wall serves as part of the barrier, doors with direct access to the pool must be equipped with an alarm complying with UL 2017 or covered by an approved safety pool cover meeting ASTM F1346. The Southaven Building Official inspects compliance prior to issuing the pool's final inspection approval. Pool fence height and placement also must satisfy any applicable Southaven fence permit requirements (Title XIII).