Bloomington, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 15 § 15.108
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS (Bloomington Buildings and Structures Code)
Operative Text
(a) All outdoor swimming pools existing and hereafter constructed shall be completely enclosed by a fence or wall. All fence openings or points of entry into the pool area enclosure shall be equipped with gates. The fence and gates shall be at least four feet in height and shall be constructed of a minimum number 11 gauge woven wire mesh corrosion-resistant material or other materials approved by the Health Authority . All gates shall be equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices placed at the top of the gate or otherwise inaccessible to small children. All fence posts shall be decay or corrosion-resistant and shall be set in concrete bases or other suitable protection. The opening between the bottom of the fence and the ground or other surface shall be not more than four inches. (b) Spas or hot tubs with a safety cover that complies with ASTM F 1346 that are kept closed when not in use are exempt from the fencing requirements in subsection (a) above. (1958 Code, § 39.02) (Ord. 65-29, passed 5-17-1965; amended by Ord. 2007-9, passed 2-26-2007; Ord. 2008-43, passed 12-1-2008)
Bloomington, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 15.108 requires that all outdoor swimming pools — both existing and newly built — be fully enclosed by a fence or wall meeting specific construction standards, including a minimum height of four feet, corrosion-resistant materials of at least 11-gauge woven wire mesh, self-closing and self-latching gates, decay-resistant posts set in concrete, and a ground gap of no more than four inches. Every entry point into the pool area must have a gate with a self-latching mechanism positioned out of reach of small children. Spas and hot tubs are exempt from these fencing requirements if they have a safety cover that meets ASTM F 1346 and are kept closed when not in use.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating outdoor swimming pools in Bloomington are expected to maintain compliant enclosures as described in § 15.108, which means ensuring fences and gates meet the height, material, and hardware specifications set out in the ordinance. Compliant operators typically inspect gate self-latching and self-closing mechanisms regularly, verify that fence posts remain secure in their concrete bases, and confirm that the gap between the fence bottom and the ground does not exceed four inches. Operators with spas or hot tubs should retain documentation showing that any safety cover meets the ASTM F 1346 standard if they intend to rely on the exemption provided under § 15.108(b).
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants who live at a property with an outdoor swimming pool have an interest in knowing that § 15.108 establishes minimum safety enclosure standards that apply to all such pools in Bloomington. If a pool fence or gate appears to be missing, broken, or otherwise noncompliant — for example, a gate that does not self-latch or a fence with a gap larger than four inches at the ground — tenants may consider reporting the condition to the Bloomington Health Authority or relevant code enforcement office. Tenant-rights organizations and local housing agencies can provide general information about how to document concerns and what enforcement processes may be available under the ordinance.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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