Pool fence rules: what inspectors actually check
Pool enclosure rules are set town by town. Around here the minimum height is 1.2 m (4 ft) in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Selwyn and Asphodel-Norwood, and 1.83 m (6 ft) in Cobourg, with self-closing, self-latching gates. Here is what each town asks for and what inspectors check, so opening day stays on schedule.
The Durable Fence Team. Updated . 5 min read.
The five things inspectors check
Rules vary from town to town, but every inspector we meet looks at the same five things. Miss one and you have to rebook. In May, that can cost you weeks.
- Height: at least 1.2 m (4 ft) in most towns here, and 1.83 m (6 ft) in Cobourg. The table below has each town.
- No horizontal rails a child can climb, and no gaps a child can squeeze through
- Self-closing hinges and a self-latching lock, with the latch on the inside near the top, out of a child's reach
- Gates close and latch on their own, every time, without being lifted or pushed
- The enclosure is continuous. Where a house wall forms part of it, that section needs alarms or compliant doors, where those are allowed.
Pool enclosure rules by town
These are the numbers in each municipality's own by-law or published guide. By-laws get updated, so follow the link for your town, and we confirm the current version for your address before we quote.
| Town | Enclosure height | Gaps and mesh | Permit for the pool? |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Peterborough | At least 1.22 m (4 ft) for a house or a building up to 4 units. 1.83 m (6 ft) for more than 4 units or commercial. | Chain link mesh no larger than 50 mm. Wood boards no more than 38 mm apart. | Yes, for pool and hot tub enclosures |
| Cobourg | At least 1.83 m (6 ft), gates included. At least 1.2 m back from the water. | Openings no larger than 3.8 cm (1.5 in). No more than 7.6 cm (3 in) clear at the bottom. | Yes, for any pool or hot tub deeper than 24 in |
| Kawartha Lakes (Lindsay, Omemee) | At least 1.2 m (4 ft) | Chain link mesh no larger than 38 mm, set no more than 76 mm above grade | Yes, for in-ground pools or water deeper than 1.2 m |
| Selwyn Township (Lakefield) | At least 1.2 m (4 ft) | Chain link openings no larger than 3.8 cm | Check with the town |
| Asphodel-Norwood (Norwood) | At least 1.2 m (4 ft) | Check with the town | Check with the town |
| Trent Hills (Campbellford) | Check with the town. The zoning by-law sets pools at least 1.2 m back from lot lines. | Check with the town | Check with the town |
| Havelock-Belmont-Methuen (Havelock) | Check with the town | Check with the town | Yes. The zoning by-law says every pool, hot tubs included, must be fenced with a self-closing gate. |
Every town above that publishes gate rules wants pool gates to be self-closing. Peterborough, Cobourg and Kawartha Lakes also spell out self-latching gates. Peterborough wants the latch on the inside at the top, or at least 3 ft 6 in above grade, and Kawartha Lakes wants it on the inside at the top. Peterborough wants the gate kept locked when the pool isn't supervised, and Cobourg wants it kept locked.
Hot tubs count too. Peterborough and Cobourg need a permit for a hot tub enclosure (in Cobourg, for any hot tub deeper than 24 in), and Havelock-Belmont-Methuen requires hot tubs to be fenced. In Kawartha Lakes, a hot tub with a locking cover is exempt.
Materials that work around a pool
Ornamental iron is the classic pool fence. You keep the view, it resists climbing, and it's code-friendly.
Vinyl privacy and small-mesh chain link also pass when they're built to the spacing rules for your town. We build all three around decks, rock and retaining walls, which are common on Lakefield and riverside lots.
More on pool enclosures, ornamental iron and vinyl.
Book before the spring rush
A pool fence is usually a 1 to 2 day install, but spring books up fast. Call in late winter or early spring so the materials arrive before opening day.
We schedule around your pool opener and leave the yard ready for inspection. Contact us to book.
Common questions
How high does a pool fence have to be in Ontario?
There's no single Ontario number, because each municipality sets its own by-law. Around here it's at least 1.2 m (4 ft) in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Selwyn and Asphodel-Norwood, and 1.83 m (6 ft) in Cobourg, with self-closing, self-latching gates. We confirm the current by-law for your address before we quote.
Can I use chain link to enclose a pool?
Yes, if the mesh is small enough and the gates comply. Peterborough allows mesh up to 50 mm, Kawartha Lakes up to 38 mm, and Cobourg and Selwyn cap openings at 3.8 cm. Iron and vinyl are more popular for looks, but chain link passes when it's built to the by-law.
Keep reading
Which fence will actually hold your dog?
The best dog fence is one your dog can't dig under, climb over or chew through. On most Kawartha properties that means chain link with a buried edge or a properly built wood privacy run, sized bigger than most people expect and fitted with chew-proof hardware.
How tall can your fence be in Peterborough?
How tall a fence can be depends on your town, your yard and whether you're on a corner. Cobourg allows 0.75 m out front and 1.8 m near rear and side lot lines, and Selwyn and Asphodel-Norwood allow about 1 m out front and 1.8 to 2 m out back. We check the current by-law for your address at the free estimate.
Wood or vinyl: which fence is better for Ontario winters?
Both hold up to Ontario winters when they're installed properly. The difference is upkeep and up-front cost: wood costs less today and needs regular staining, while vinyl costs more today and asks nothing of you for decades. What actually ruins either one is shallow posts that heave.
Spring books up fast.
Get your free on-site estimate now and have the price in writing before the ground thaws.