The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (www.cpsc.gov) has released a set of pool code guidelines, but individual municipalities have freedom to apply the recommended guidelines more or less stringently. In general, fences around pools should be no less than 48" tall with no less than 45" between horizontal rails. Alternatively, if the horizontal rails are closer than 45" apart, then the fence can be at least 48" tall with no less than 1-3/4" spacing between the pickets. All gates should be self-closing and self-latching.