Swimming pools in Clayton: the local rules

Each rule below links to the section of the Clayton Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Clayton's code says

Clayton code What Clayton's code adds
Pool barrier	Openings, holes or gaps no larger than 4 inches, measured horizontally. Applies: Homes with a pool or outdoor water over 18 inches deep, or less than 18 inches deep with over 250 square feet of surface. § 8.12.030 · code text with openings, holes, or gaps therein no larger than four (4) inches measured horizontally, except for doors or gates A house or accessory building may form part of the enclosure. Applies: Homes with a pool or outdoor water over 18 inches deep, or less than 18 inches deep with over 250 square feet of surface. § 8.12.030 · code text provided, however, that a dwelling house or accessory building may be used as a part of such enclosure. No pool fence is needed only if all apply, starting with a lot of at least 20,000 square feet. Applies: At most 4 homes within 250 feet; pool not within 300 feet of school or playground, or 55 feet of a dwelling or adjacent property. § 8.12.060 · code text The fence required by this chapter need not be erected or maintained when all of the following conditions exist: The fence must be installed before a newly built pool is put into use. § 8.12.050 · code text The fence required by this chapter shall be installed around all pools within ninety (90) days from and after April 19, 1969, and before any newly constructed pool is put into use.
Barrier height	The fence or wall must be at least 4½ feet high. Applies: Homes with a pool or outdoor water over 18 inches deep, or less than 18 inches deep with over 250 square feet of surface. § 8.12.030 · code text a fence or wall not less than four and one-half (4½) feet high, with openings, holes, or gaps therein no larger than four (4) inches measured horizontally
Gates	Gates and doors: self-closing and self-latching; latches at least 4 feet above ground or inaccessible to small children from outside. Applies: All gates or doors opening through the enclosure, except a dwelling door occupied by people. § 8.12.030 · code text All gates or doors opening through such enclosure, including: fence gates, breezeway gates, back doors of garages, and doors of similar accessory structures, shall be equipped with a self-closing and self-latching device designed to keep, and capable of keeping, such door or gate securely closed at all times when not in actual use. However, the door of any dwelling occupied by human beings and forming a part of the enclosure herein above required, need not be equipped with such self-closing, self-latching device. All such latching shall be placed at least four (4) feet above the ground level, or otherwise made inaccessible from the outside to small children.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Clayton?

Clayton's code: The fence or wall must be at least 4½ feet high. (Homes with a pool or outdoor water over 18 inches deep, or less than 18 inches deep with over 250 square feet of surface.) (§ 8.12.030); Gates and doors: self-closing and self-latching; latches at least 4 feet above ground or inaccessible to small children from outside. (All gates or doors opening through the enclosure, except a dwelling door occupied by people.) (§ 8.12.030).

Swimming pools in Clayton

What Clayton's code says

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