Panel recommends aligning pool fence rules with International Residential Code

A Loudon City zoning panel voted to recommend that the city council adopt zoning text amendments that would align the city’s pool fence and pool-location rules with the International Residential Code (IRC).

At a committee meeting, a staff member said the proposed edits would change local references from a 5-foot to the IRC’s 4-foot recommendation and, more importantly, amend three sections so the ordinance would automatically track future IRC changes. “We’re bringing to you what could be a proposed zoning amendment for your recommendation of city council,” the staff member said, adding the edits are intended to reduce the need for repeated local text amendments.

The staff presentation reviewed nearby jurisdictions and found most follow the IRC 4-foot recommendation; Knoxville was cited as an exception that retains a 5-foot standard in certain circumstances. The proposed revisions clarify that government services in a C2 (highway business) district must follow the updated text, and that descriptions of private pools should reference all residential districts rather than the older R1/R2 labels.

Board members asked whether removing an explicit C2 allowance would prevent hotels from locating pools in front yards; a committee member noted older hotels sometimes placed pools as a “enticement” feature, but staff said modern hotels more commonly place pools in interior courtyards. The panel also discussed existing nonconforming pools and confirmed the edits would not require removal of grandfathered installations.

The board discussed state-adopted pool-safety requirements for alarms and door latches; staff said those safety features are required statewide and must be functioning at final inspection, but the meeting transcript did not identify the exact statute by name.

A motion to recommend the draft ordinance changes to Loudon City Council was made, seconded and passed by voice vote. The board additionally noted staff had received a variance application requesting a 4-foot fence two days after a prior variance was approved, underscoring staff’s reason to move the ordinance edits forward.

The recommendation now goes to Loudon City Council for formal consideration; the panel did not adopt the ordinance itself, but voted to forward the proposed text changes for council action.