Taylor, MI Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)

Section 15.06 of Taylor's Zoning Appendix A regulates swimming pools, spas and hot tubs as accessory structures. Subsection (a) bars locating a pool, spa or hot tub in any front yard, any side yard, or any easement, so the equipment must sit in the rear yard on a conforming lot. A minimum of six feet must separate a pool from any accessory structure on the same property, and the pool itself must be set back at least ten feet from the rear lot line while also meeting the side yard setback that applies to the zoning district.

Subsection (b), covering security fencing, requires that any pool, spa or hot tub holding 24 inches or more of water at any point meet the requirements of the state construction code, which the city has incorporated by reference for pool barriers rather than setting a separate local fence height number. In practice that means a homeowner installing an in-ground pool, or an above-ground pool deep enough to trigger the 24-inch threshold, needs a barrier that satisfies the adopted construction code before the pool can be used, in addition to satisfying the placement and setback rules of subsection (a).

Because pools are classified as accessory structures, they are also subject to Article 15's general accessory-building rules on separation and lot placement unless Section 15.06 sets a more specific standard.