Sugar Land, TX Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing Requirements (2026)

Under Sugar Land's code enforcement standards, all swimming pools and spas with more than 24 inches of water must be surrounded by a fence or barrier at least 48 inches (4 feet) in height from ground level. All gates and doors attached to the pool barrier fence must be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch mechanism placed high enough to be out of reach of small children. The barrier must completely enclose the pool area with no gaps large enough for a child to pass through. The 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), adopted by Sugar Land, provides detailed specifications for barrier construction including: maximum opening sizes (no more than 4 inches), prohibition on climbable elements on the exterior side, and door alarm requirements for house walls serving as part of the barrier. Above-ground pools with walls at least 48 inches high may use the pool wall as part of the barrier if the entry point is secured. Pool barrier compliance is checked during final inspection for new pools and is subject to ongoing code enforcement.