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Swimming pools in Lincoln

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

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

What Lincoln's code says

Lincoln code What Lincoln's code adds
Pool barrier
  • The gap under the barrier may be at most 2 inches, or 4 inches over a solid surface.
    Applies: Applies to outdoor pools.
    § 15.20.030 · code text
    The maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall be two inches measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool. The maximum vertical clearance at the bottom of the barrier may be increased to four inches when grade is a solid surface.
  • The gap between the pool top and the barrier may be at most 4 inches.
    Applies: Applies to a barrier mounted on top of an above-ground pool.
    § 15.20.030 · code text
    Where the barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure, the maximum vertical clearance between the top of the pool structure and the bottom of the barrier shall be four inches.
  • No opening may let a 4-inch sphere pass through.
    Applies: Applies to barrier openings.
    § 15.20.030 · code text
    Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a four-inch diameter sphere.
  • No major dents or bumps, except tooled masonry joints.
    Applies: Applies to solid barriers without openings, such as masonry or stone walls.
    § 15.20.030 · code text
    Solid barriers which do not have openings, such as masonry or stone walls, shall not contain substantial indentations or protrusions except for tooled masonry joints.
  • Spacing between vertical members and within decorative cutouts may not exceed one and three-fourths inches; horizontal members may not create a ladder-like condition.
    Applies: pool barriers with vertical members or decorative cut-outs
    § 15.20.030 · code text
    Spacing between vertical members shall not exceed one and three-fourths inches in width. Where there are decorative cut-outs within vertical members, spacing within the cutouts shall not exceed one and three-fourths inches in width. Under no conditions shall horizontal members create a ladder-like condition.
  • Chain-link mesh at most 2 inches square, with wire of at least 9 gauge.
    Applies: Applies to chain-link fences.
    § 15.20.030 · code text
    Maximum mesh size for chain link fences shall be two inches square. The wire shall not be less than nine gauge.
  • The maximum opening formed by diagonal members is one and three-fourths inches.
    Applies: barriers composed of diagonal members, such as lattice fences
    § 15.20.030 · code text
    Where the barrier is composed of diagonal members, such as a lattice fence, the maximum opening formed by the diagonal members shall be no more than one and three-fourths inches.
  • Any opening left when the ladder or steps are secured, locked or removed may not pass a 4-inch sphere.
    Applies: Above-ground pools used as the barrier or with a barrier on top, when the ladder or steps are secured, locked or removed.
    § 15.20.030 · code text
    When the ladder or steps are secured, locked or removed, any opening created shall not allow the passage of a four-inch diameter sphere.
  • The barrier must be installed and inspected before the pool is filled with water.
    Applies: Applies to outdoor pools.
    § 15.20.030 · code text
    An outdoor pool shall be provided with a barrier that is to be installed and inspected prior to filling with water.
Barrier height
  • At least 60 inches above the ground, measured on the side away from the pool.
    Applies: Applies to outdoor pools.
    § 15.20.030 · code text
    The top of the barrier shall be at least 60 inches above grade measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the pool.
Gates
  • Must open outward away from the pool, be self-closing and have a self-latching device.
    Applies: Applies to pedestrian access gates.
    § 15.20.030 · code text
    Pedestrian access gates shall open outward away from the pool and shall be self-closing and have a self-latching device.
  • The release mechanism must be at least 42 inches from the bottom of the gate on the pool side, and openings within 18 inches of it must not exceed one-half inch.
    Applies: when the self-latching release mechanism is less than 54 inches from the bottom of the gate
    § 15.20.030 · code text
    Where the release mechanism of the self-latching device is located less than 54 inches from the bottom of the gate, (1) the release mechanism shall be located on the pool side of the gate at least 42 inches from the bottom of the gate, and (2) the gate and barrier shall have no opening greater than one-half inch within 18 inches of the release mechanism.
  • Must stay locked when not in use, with a durable sign saying so on or next to the gate.
    Applies: Applies to gates other than pedestrian access gates.
    § 15.20.030 · code text
    Any gate other than pedestrian access gates shall remain locked at all times when not in use, with a durable sign on or adjacent to the gate stating: "THIS GATE TO REMAIN LOCKED AT ALL TIMES WHEN NOT IN USE."
  • The isolation access gate must swing outward from the pool.
    Applies: Applies to isolation fencing that fully encloses the pool and separates it from the house and yard.
    § 15.20.030 · code text
    the isolation access gate shall swing outward from the pool.
Permit
  • A permit and fee are required before installing plumbing, filter, pump, chlorinating or emptying systems.
    Applies: Applies to public or private swimming, wading or bathing pools with water over 18 inches deep.
    § 15.20.010 · code text
    Before any person commences the installation of any plumbing, filter system, circulating pumping, chlorinating or emptying system for any swimming, wading or bathing pool, public or private, that contains water over 18 inches deep, an application shall be made to the city for a permit to construct such installation. A permit fee shall be required.
  • No permit is required.
    Applies: Above-ground, plug-in 110-volt, self-contained spas with a lockable cover, unless in front of a window or within 5 feet of equipment or metal.
    § 15.20.010 · code text
    An above-ground, pre-wired to plug into a 110 volt electrical outlet, pre-manufactured, self-contained spa unit with a lockable cover shall be exempted from these requirements unless the spa is to be placed in front of a window or within five feet of any mechanical or electrical equipment or any other metal structure.
Setback from property lines
  • At least 3 feet.
    Applies: Distance from the rear lot line in any R residential district.
    § 18.36.070 · code text
    such pools shall not be located closer than three feet from the rear lot line
  • At least 3 feet.
    Applies: Distance from any side lot line in any R residential district.
    § 18.36.070 · code text
    not closer than three feet from any side lot line
  • At least 10 feet.
    Applies: Distance from any side street yard lot line in any R residential district.
    § 18.36.070 · code text
    nor closer than ten feet from any side street yard lot line
  • At least 5 feet.
    Applies: Distance from filter and heating systems to any property line.
    § 18.36.070 · code text
    Filter and heating systems for any pool shall not be located closer than five feet from any property line.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Lincoln?

Lincoln's code: The gap under the barrier may be at most 2 inches, or 4 inches over a solid surface. (Applies to outdoor pools.) (§ 15.20.030); The gap between the pool top and the barrier may be at most 4 inches. (Applies to a barrier mounted on top of an above-ground pool.) (§ 15.20.030).

General information, not legal advice.

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