Pool Fencing - FAQ

Remember if you are building a new swimming or spa pool you will require a building consent and possibly a resource consent. This includes the construction of the surrounding fence. Waitaki District Council recommends that, where possible, pools should be fenced independently from any building or boundary fence.

Pool fences should meet specific standards in order to comply with the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987.

Placement of the fence
The fence must only surround the immediate pool area. In general, permitted activities within the immediate pool area include:

pool changing rooms or bathroom facilities
lounging, seating and sunbathing areas associated with the pool
diving boards and other pool equipment
pool furniture
pumps and other pool maintenance equipment.

Activities that would generally be excluded from the immediate pool area include:

clotheslines
vegetable gardens
vehicle or pedestrian access to or from one part of the property to another, or from the street to the property
children's playground equipment, such as swings, slides and trampolines.

Beware of including a boundary fence as part of the pool fence. Your neighbours may put trellis or a stack of wood on their side, which would enable a child to climb over the fence. In such cases the fence would not comply with the Act.

It is the responsibility of the pool owner to maintain the boundary fencing where used as the pool fence, in a manner which complies with the pool fencing requirements. Alternatively, a separate fence to the pool enclosure could be provided.

House forms part of the pool fence
The walls of a house (or another building on the property) can form part of a pool fence providing it meets certain conditions. Access to the pool from all doors and windows of a building is not allowed. Check the details of standards for doors and windows for more information or contact us.

Para type pools
Check the details of standards for fencing requirements. Additional requirements for para type pools are

sides are to be at least 1.2m from the ground
must have smooth vertical sides
no climb points
ladder must be fenced

Details of standards
Fences around the pool area should be at least 1.2 metres high and must only surround the immediate pool area. It is normally recommended in the planning stages for a new pool that the fence be placed so that young children can't move directly from the house to the pool. As a general rule, there should be a clear line of sight between the house and the pool for supervision of the pool. A 'dog-leg' in the immediate pool area which prohibits viewing of the pool should not be permitted.

The gap under the fence and between vertical bars should be smaller than 100mm. More specific rules may also apply for:

Pools with elevated levels
Fences and netting
Doors and windows next to the pool area
Gates

Pool fence and barrier examples (PDF 122kb)