Springfield, IL Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum barrier height
- 48 inches (city); 42 inches (IL state floor)
- Max gap at grade
- 2 inches
- Max opening
- Will not pass a 4-inch sphere
- Gates
- Self-closing, self-latching, outward-opening (pedestrian)
- Code Section
- 65 ILCS 5/11-30-9; Private Swimming Pool Enclosure Act (P.A., HB2495)
Summary
Every Springfield swimming pool capable of holding water deeper than 24 inches must be surrounded by a minimum 48-inch-high barrier with no more than a 2-inch gap at grade and openings that will not pass a 4-inch sphere. Pedestrian gates must open outward, be self-closing, and self-latching.
All swimming pools that are capable of holding a depth of water greater than 24" must be surrounded by a minimum 48" high fence or other barrier, constructed as follows: The top of the barrier shall be not less than 48" above grade measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the swimming pool. The vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall be not greater than 2", measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the swimming pool. Where the top of the pool structure is above grade, the barrier is authorized to be at ground level or mounted on top of the pool structure, and the vertical clearance between the top of the pool structure and the bottom of the barrier shall be not greater than 4". Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a 4" diameter sphere. ... Access doors or gates shall comply with #6 above and shall be equipped to accommodate a locking device. Pedestrian access doors or gates shall open outward away from the pool and shall be self-closing and have a self-latching device. Doors or gates other than pedestrian access doors or gates shall have a self-latching device.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
The City of Springfield Department of Building & Zoning enforces detailed pool barrier rules through its 'Notice Regarding Swimming Pool Installations,' which every property owner must acknowledge before a pool permit is issued. The barrier must be at least 48 inches above grade measured on the side facing away from the pool, with vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier no greater than 2 inches. Openings in the barrier may not allow passage of a 4-inch diameter sphere. Vertical-member spacing is capped at 1-3/4 inches where the gap between horizontal members is less than 45 inches (with horizontal members on the pool side), or at 4 inches where horizontal members are 45 inches or more apart.
Chain-link mesh may not exceed 2-1/4-inch squares unless slats reduce openings to 1-3/4 inches. Access gates must comply with the barrier opening rules, be equipped for a locking device, and pedestrian gates must open outward away from the pool and be self-closing and self-latching. Springfield's local 48-inch standard exceeds the Illinois state minimum of 42 inches set by the Private Swimming Pool Enclosure Act ('Zoe's Law'), which expressly permits more restrictive local regulation.
Violations & Fines
A pool may not be filled with water until the fence, gates, and required door alarms are installed and inspected. Installing a pool or barrier without the required permit and inspections is a municipal code violation subject to stop-work orders, abatement, and fines; the City conducts a setback inspection before issuing the pool permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall must my pool fence be in Springfield?
Do the pool gates have to self-latch?
When can I fill my new pool with water?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Springfield
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