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Lancaster · Building on your lot

Swimming pools in Lancaster

Lancaster's own rules on swimming pools, with the code text for every value.

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

What Lancaster's code says

Lancaster code What Lancaster's code adds
Pool barrier
  • Besides doors and gates, no openings over 50 square inches, unless rectangular with no horizontal side over 4 inches.
    § 8.04.230 · code text
    with no openings except doors or gates within an area greater than fifty (50) square inches, except that a rectangular opening having no horizontal dimension exceeding four inches, may have a greater area.
  • Wood pool fences: posts at least three by three inches, no more than ten (10) feet apart and embedded at least eighteen (18) inches; boards at least one-half inch thick on at least two rails of two by three inches
    Applies: wood fences
    § 8.04.240 · code text
    Wood fences shall have posts not less than three inches by three inches, spaced not over ten (10) feet on centers,
  • Wire pool fences: mesh of at least eleven (11) gauge galvanized steel wire on galvanized pipe one and one-fourth inch in diameter, no more than ten (10) feet apart; posts set at least twelve (12) inches into concrete-filled holes at least six inches wide and eighteen (18) inches deep
    Applies: wire fences
    § 8.04.250 · code text
    Wire fences shall be constructed of wire mesh of not less than eleven (11) gauge galvanized steel wire supported on one and one-fourth inch diameter galvanized pipe spaced not over ten (10) feet on centers.
Barrier height
  • At least 5 feet high.
    Applies: Fence, wall or other structure around the pool, measured on the side away from the pool.
    § 8.04.230 · code text
    The fence, wall, or other structure required by this chapter shall be not less than five feet high, measured from the existing surface to the top of the fence or wall on the side of the fence or wall opposite the side towards the pool,
Gates
  • Gates and doors must fill the opening and stay closed and securely latched whenever the pool is not in use.
    § 8.04.300 · code text
    All doors or gates shall be of such size as to completely fill any opening in the fence or wall. The owner or person in possession of the premises on which such swimming pool exists shall keep such doors and gates closed and securely latched at all times when such swimming pool is not in use.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Lancaster?

Lancaster's code: At least 5 feet high. (Fence, wall or other structure around the pool, measured on the side away from the pool.) (§ 8.04.230); Gates and doors must fill the opening and stay closed and securely latched whenever the pool is not in use. (§ 8.04.300).

General information, not legal advice.

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Lancaster Municipal Code — full text