Swimming Pool Fencing

The Fencing of Swimming Pools Act (1987) basically is designed to protect small children from accidentally falling into pools and to do this it decrees that all pools must be fenced. The exceptions to this rule are as follows:

• Free standing pools with sides higher than 1.2 m provided that ladders and all other means of access are removed when the pool is not in use.
• Pools less than 400mm deep
• Indoor pools where they are part of a house.

All other pools require fencing.

Spa pools are included in the need for fencing where they are outside or on a deck. A lockable cover is not a substitute for a fence unless you have sought, and been granted, an exemption from fencing. These exemptions can be applied for to Council and are sometimes granted, if the Hearing Committee thinks that there will be no more danger than if the pool was fenced.

Pool owners are responsible for notifying the Council of the existence of a swimming pool and ensuring the correct fencing is in place. The fences must comply with the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act.

View the Guide to Pool Owners(298KB). This document is also available from any of our Council Offices. 

For further reading also view the following documents from the Department of Internal Affairs  Fencing of Swimming Pools Guide and Addendum to Fencing of Swimming Pools Guide .

If you wish to discuss any aspect of swimming pool fencing please contact our friendly planning staff at our Council Offices.