King County, WA Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing Requirements (2026)

King County Code 16.70.010 prohibits placing a private swimming pool in the front yard or having its water surface within five feet of an exterior property line. K.C.C. 16.70.020 then requires every private pool to be completely surrounded by a solid structure or a fence not less than five feet in height; if the yard already has a perimeter fence meeting the design requirements, a separate pool fence is not required. Building Code permits issued by King County Local Services - Permitting Division enforce the residential pool barrier provisions of the International Residential Code Appendix G, adopted statewide through WAC 51-51, which sets a 48-inch minimum barrier height as a baseline (K.C.C.'s 60-inch standard is more restrictive and controls). Gate, mesh, and ladder-effect specifics largely track the state Water Recreation Facilities rule, WAC 246-260: openings cannot pass a 4-inch diameter sphere, chain link mesh cannot exceed 1-1/4 inches (slats required if larger), and horizontal members must be 45 inches apart or greater, or designed to prevent a ladder effect. Pedestrian access gates must open outward away from the pool, be self-closing and self-latching, and any latch placed below 60 inches above grade must be continuously locked, coded, or tied to an equivalent access control system.