Pool Fence Rules: Alpharetta, Johns Creek GA

What are the pool fence requirements in Alpharetta and Johns Creek? Both cities require a permanent fence and gate around every pool, at least 5 feet tall, with a gate at least 36 inches wide that opens outward and closes and latches on its own. Alpharetta caps a pool fence at 6 feet and spells out the gap tests, while Johns Creek allows up to 8 feet and focuses on keeping the fence hard to climb. Georgia's state pool code sets a lower floor, so the city numbers are the ones to plan around. Confirm your lot with your city before you build.

Last updated: October 2026.

Both cities side by side

Alpharetta and Johns Creek are both in Fulton County, but each city sets its own pool fence rules. This is what each city's documents say.

Fence required: a permanent fence and gate around every pool, in both cities.
Minimum height: 5 feet in both cities.
Maximum height: 6 feet in Alpharetta, with extra allowed on a sloped lot. 8 feet in Johns Creek.
Gate: at least one gate 36 inches wide that opens outward, closes by itself, and latches.
Gaps and climbing: Alpharetta spells out a 4-inch and a 2-inch ball test. Johns Creek says the fence cannot create a "ladder" effect and asks that nearby objects and structures sit 5 feet back from it.
Timing: Alpharetta inspects the permanent fence before the pool is filled. Johns Creek's zoning says the fence goes up before the pool is complete.
Pool placement: Alpharetta sets a pool 20 feet from side and rear property lines, or at the house's setback if that is less. Johns Creek says at least 10 feet from property lines on a typical single-family lot, and that includes pool equipment and decks.
Finish: finished side toward the neighbor and no bright or primary colors, in both cities.

Alpharetta: the details

Alpharetta's pool rules come from its Unified Development Code and its 2026 pool permitting guide. The guide covers in-ground and above-ground pools and spas that hold more than 2 feet of water.

Height: measured from the top of the fence straight down to the ground on the outside. On a sloped lot, the limit can be exceeded by up to 50 percent where an even fence line is wanted.
Gaps: a 4-inch ball must not pass through the fence, and a 2-inch ball must not pass under it. The guide words this sentence awkwardly, so ask the city to confirm how it measures. The city code also says the fence must be kept in good condition.
Latch: if the latch sits lower than 54 inches from the bottom of the gate, it goes on the pool side, at least 3 inches below the top of the gate. No opening bigger than half an inch within 18 inches of the latch.
Buffers: the fence stays at least 5 feet from required buffers.
House wall as part of the barrier: the pool needs a powered safety cover, or the doors to the pool need an alarm listed to UL 2017. The city warns that many pool door alarms on the market do not meet that standard.
Materials: the code lists wood (naturally durable or pressure treated), metal, brick, block, vinyl, and stone for fences. Plywood and sheet goods are not allowed.
Corner lots and driveways: the code says nothing over 3 feet tall within 20 feet of where two or more streets meet, or within 10 feet of the edge of a driveway that leads to a street. Its pool rule also says the fence cannot block the view at road intersections. A 3-foot limit does not sit easily with a 5-foot pool fence, so if your pool is near a corner or a driveway, ask the city how it applies before you design the fence.
While the pool is being built: the guide wants a 4-foot construction barrier around the open excavation until the permanent fence is up. Reinforced fabric or wire on stakes is acceptable for that. Water cannot go into a pool until it is fully enclosed by the permanent fence.

Johns Creek: the details

Johns Creek's pool rules sit in Section 19.3.12 of its Zoning Ordinance and its Fence/Wall Permit Requirements Checklist, revised August 2025. Our Johns Creek page covers the basics. Here is what else the documents say.

Climbing: the ordinance asks for 5 feet between the fence and nearby objects or structures, so nothing gives a climbing step. The checklist does not say what counts as a "ladder" effect. If your design has horizontal rails on the outside, ask the city about it first.
Timing: the fence must be in place before the pool is complete.
Locking: the ordinance says the entrance is to be locked when the pool is not open for use. Ask the city how that applies to a home pool.
Pool location: on a typical single-family lot, the pool, equipment, and deck stay at least 10 feet from property lines. Where a neighborhood has perimeter setbacks, none of these can sit in them.
House wall as part of the barrier: the ordinance lets the enclosure be a fence, wall, or building. Permit plans must show an alarm on the windows and doors that lead to the pool.
Gates near the street: the city's general fence rules say no part of a gate may sit within 20 feet of a public right-of-way. Ask the city how that applies to a pool gate.
Materials: the ordinance says materials and construction must follow Fulton County Health Department regulations. Ask the city what that means for a home pool fence.

What Georgia's state pool code adds

Georgia's mandatory state pool code is the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code with Georgia amendments. It took effect January 1, 2026, and both cities list it in their own permit papers. It sets a minimum and does not cancel local rules. The base numbers below come from the code as published by the International Code Council. Georgia's amendments are noted where they change a rule.

The barrier is at least 48 inches tall, measured on the outside, and the code wants that height to hold for 3 feet out from the barrier.
The gap under the barrier is no more than 2 inches over grass or gravel, or 4 inches over a hard surface such as concrete.
Nothing in the barrier lets a 4-inch ball through. When the tops of horizontal rails are less than 45 inches apart, the rails go on the pool side and the spaces between pickets are no more than 1 3/4 inches. When the rails are 45 inches or more apart, picket spacing can be up to 4 inches. Chain-link openings are no more than 1 3/4 inches.
Solid barriers cannot have handholds or footholds.
Gates open outward, away from the pool, close and latch by themselves, and do not swing over stairs.
Georgia's version of the latch rule puts a latch release reachable from outside, if it is not the self-locking type, at least 54 inches above the ground.
Where a latch release sits on the inside of the barrier, openings within 18 inches of it are no more than half an inch.
Pool equipment outside the fence stays at least 36 inches from it.
Georgia's amendment requires a complete, permanent barrier before the pool is filled with water, unless the pool has a qualifying safety cover. Both cities expect a fence around every pool, so plan on one.

Where the city and state rules do not line up

Space under the fence: Alpharetta's guide gives one number, 2 inches. The state code allows up to 4 inches over a hard surface. Johns Creek's documents give no number. Unless your city tells you otherwise, plan on 2 inches.
Johns Creek's gap and latch numbers: the city's checklist says "self-closing, positive-latching" and stops there. It also tells applicants to list the state pool code on their drawings, so plan for the state code's numbers and ask the city to confirm.
House wall as a barrier: Alpharetta's guide names a powered safety cover or a UL 2017 door alarm. The state code lists those and also allows an approved means of protection, such as self-closing doors with self-latching devices. Alpharetta is the stricter of the two on paper, so follow the city.
Height: the state code sets only a 48-inch minimum. Both cities start at 5 feet, and they part ways on the top end.

When two numbers differ, plan around the stricter one and confirm with your city.

Permits and inspections

Alpharetta: the pool needs a city permit, and the pool plans must show where the fence goes and its details. The city's code says a fence built to its fence standards does not need a permit, and the pool guide says fencing does not need a building permit. The permanent fence is still inspected before the pool is filled. A pool found filling or full without the fence in place gets a stop work order, and the building official will order it drained. Call Inspection & Code Enforcement at 678-297-6080.

Johns Creek: the city's permit for a new pool is called Pool/Spa & Barrier. The plans show the barrier height, the gates, and where the fence sits on the site plan, and the checklist asks for a barrier elevation drawing, new or existing. For fences in general, the city's checklist says a new or replacement fence on a single-family lot needs no permit unless it adjoins a public right-of-way, sits in the 75-foot stream buffer, or is in the river corridor. That same checklist has a box for a fence that works as a gated enclosure around a pool. The documents do not say whether a pool fence on its own falls under that exemption, so ask. Call Community Development at 678-512-3200.

If your pool already exists and you are adding or replacing the fence, ask the city which permit applies. Alpharetta's code points to no fence permit when the fence meets its standards, but confirm it. In Johns Creek the answer is not clear from the documents.

HOA approval is separate from the city, and your HOA decides its own. Alpharetta's guide is plain that HOA approval does not let you start work, because the city pool permit is still required. We handle the HOA approval paperwork.

Planning your pool fence with us

Our owner has 12 years of hands-on fencing experience. When we come out for your free written estimate, we look at the pool area, ask about your HOA, and work from the numbers your city gives you. We call in the Georgia 811 utility locate before we dig. Most installs take 1 to 2 days. Because the fence has to be in place before the pool is filled, plan the fence and the city inspection into your pool schedule early. See our pool fence installation page, or aluminum fencing, a common pool fence choice.

Questions to ask your city:

What height range applies to my lot?
Does my fence need its own permit, or is it covered by the pool permit?
Does a wall or door of my house count as part of the barrier?
How far under the fence can the gap be?
Who inspects the fence, and when?

Common questions

How tall does a pool fence have to be in Alpharetta?

At least 5 feet and no more than 6 feet, according to the city's pool guide. On a sloped lot the maximum can be exceeded by up to 50 percent where an even fence line is wanted. Confirm your lot with the city before you build.

How tall does a pool fence have to be in Johns Creek?

The city's checklist says at least 5 feet and no more than 8 feet. The gate must be at least 36 inches wide, open outward, and be self-closing and positive-latching.

Which way does a pool gate swing?

Outward, away from the pool. Both cities and the Georgia state pool code say so. The gate also has to close and latch by itself.

Does Georgia have a statewide pool fence height?

Georgia's state pool code sets a minimum barrier height of 48 inches. Alpharetta and Johns Creek both require at least 5 feet, so the city number is the one to plan around.

Do I need a permit to build a pool fence?

It depends on the city and the project. Alpharetta's code says a fence built to its standards does not need a permit, but the pool does, and the pool fence is inspected before the pool is filled. Johns Creek has a Pool/Spa & Barrier permit for new pools. Call your city to confirm.

Can the side of my house count as part of the pool barrier?

Sometimes. Alpharetta allows it with a powered safety cover on the pool or a UL 2017 alarm on the doors that open to the pool. Johns Creek's permit plans must show an alarm on the windows and doors that lead to the pool. Ask your city what it will accept for your house.

How far from my property line does a pool have to be?

Alpharetta's code says 20 feet from side and rear property lines, or the same setback as the house if that is less. Johns Creek's zoning says at least 10 feet from property lines for a typical single-family lot, including pool equipment and the deck. Confirm your lot with the city.

Pool Fence Rules in Alpharetta and Johns Creek, GA