Skip to content

Lakewood · Building on your lot

Swimming pools in Lakewood

Lakewood's own rules on swimming pools, with the code text for every value, and the state law underneath.

Ask about swimming pools in Lakewood See coverage

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

What Lakewood's code says

Lakewood code What Lakewood's code adds
Pool barrier
  • No openings over 50 square inches; a rectangular opening may be larger only if no horizontal side exceeds 4 inches.
    § 8010 · code text
    with no openings therein (other than doors or gates as hereinafter provided) larger than fifty square inches, except that a rectangular opening having no horizontal dimension exceeding four inches may have a greater area.
  • Posts at least 3 by 3 inches, no more than 10 feet apart, set at least 18 inches deep.
    Applies: Applies to wood fences.
    § 8010 · code text
    Wood fences shall be constructed of redwood or pressure treated posts not less than three inches by three inches, set not more than ten feet apart, imbedded at least eighteen inches in the ground.
  • vertical boards at least one-half inch thick fastened to at least two horizontal rails at least two inches by three inches
    Applies: wood fences
    § 8010 · code text
    Vertical boards at least one-half inch thick shall be fastened securely to not less than two horizontal rails at least two inches by three inches in dimension.
  • galvanized wire mesh, minimum eleven gauge, with galvanized pipe posts at least one and one-quarter inches in diameter, based no more than ten feet apart
    Applies: wire fences
    § 8010 · code text
    Wire fences shall consist of galvanized wire mesh, minimum eleven gauge, with galvanized pipe posts of at least one and one-quarter inches diameter based not more than ten feet apart.
  • Posts set at least 12 inches in concrete, in holes 6 inches wide and 18 inches deep.
    Applies: Applies to wire fences.
    § 8010 · code text
    Posts shall be set not less than twelve inches in concrete, in post holes six inches in diameter and eighteen inches deep.
  • Concrete footing at least 12 inches wide and 6 inches thick, with its bottom at least 12 inches underground.
    Applies: Applies to masonry fences.
    § 8010 · code text
    Masonry fences shall have a concrete footing at least twelve inches wide and six inches thick with the bottom not less than twelve inches below ground surface.
Barrier height
  • At least 5 feet high.
    Applies: Fences around pools, fish ponds and other water 18 inches or more deep.
    § 8010 · code text
    a fence or other solid structure not less than five feet in height above the underlying ground
Gates
  • Working self-closing, self-latching devices at least 4.5 feet above ground, or otherwise out of small children's reach from outside.
    Applies: Applies to all gates and doors through the required enclosure.
    § 8010 · code text
    Said gates or doors shall be equipped at all times with fully operating self-closing and self-latching devices placed at least four and one-half feet above the underlying ground or otherwise made inaccessible from the outside to small children.
  • The closer must close the gate or door and engage the latch automatically after each use.
    Applies: Applies to gate and door closers.
    § 8010 · code text
    Gate and door closers shall have adequate capacity and strength to readily and automatically close the door or gate and engage the latch after each time or purpose of operation.
  • The latch must keep the gate or door closed when not in use, and must be self-latching.
    Applies: Applies to gate and door latches.
    § 8010 · code text
    Gate or door latching mechanism and installation shall be capable of keeping the gate or door closed at all times when not in actual use. The devise shall be self-latching.
  • Not allowed unless installed in a way the Chief Building Official approves.
    Applies: Applies to double doors or pairs of gates.
    § 8010 · code text
    No double door or pairs of gates shall be installed or maintained in any such fence or enclosure except in the manner approved by the Chief Building Official.
  • Garage doors and driveway gates may not be part of the required enclosure.
    Applies: Applies to garage doors and driveway gates.
    § 8010 · code text
    Garage doors and driveway gates shall not be installed or maintained as part of the required fence or enclosure.
  • Self-closing and self-latching devices are not required.
    Applies: Only for doors from homes that open to the pool area.
    § 8010 · code text
    Doors that provide access to the pool area from dwelling units are not required to have the aforementioned self-closing and self-latching devices.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Lakewood?

Lakewood's code: No openings over 50 square inches; a rectangular opening may be larger only if no horizontal side exceeds 4 inches. (§ 8010); Posts at least 3 by 3 inches, no more than 10 feet apart, set at least 18 inches deep. (Applies to wood fences.) (§ 8010).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Lakewood property

Ask GoCodebook how Lakewood's swimming pools rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on building on your lot in Lakewood

All building on your lot rules in Lakewood

Lakewood Municipal Code — full text