Tramp Fence Law: Can You Have a Trampoline Without a Fence?
Trampoline fence law: From our research it seems that the general answer is ‘No, you do not need a fence around your trampoline.’ But, and it is a big but, it would also depend on the state you are living in. Currently we found no federal law requiring any fencing to be put around a trampoline before using it.
Also, it may depend on the city and county you live in as well. Both cities and counties are free to enact certain laws governing recreational behavior. You will have to check with your local authorities or a lawyer to see if there are any trampoline fencing laws on their books.
Can You Have a Trampoline Without a Fence
This would depend again on where you live and how restrictive your local or state government is. What we have been able to find out is that in most cases you can have a trampoline without a fence.
Insurance companies are another matter though. Many insurance companies will not accept liability or personal injury policies if you do not have fencing around your trampoline. So while your City, County or State may not have regulations governing home trampoline use, your insurance company may.
What About Trampoline Parks
You may have seen these in your city and you may have seen lots of kids having a lot of fun jumping and doing tricks on trampolines. These parks can be located inside buildings or in large redesigned open areas giving your kids a lot of fresh air as they have fun.
Unfortunately, only Arizona and Michigan have any trampoline safety laws governing the operation of these trampoline parks. Every other state rely on industry safety standards constructed by the International Association of Trampoline Parks (IATP).
These standards are more for the protection of the customer rather than the business operating these parks. Some of these standards are:
- Use plexi-glass fencing around the trampoline
- Or no hole netting surrounding the trampoline
- No obstructions near dismount area
- All hard surfaces be covered in foam padding
- 1 monitor for 32 customers
How Close Can a Trampoline Be To a Fence
Trampolines are not considered to be accessory structures, they are labeled as mobile play structures in some jurisdictions. With that definition, there seems to be no rule, law, or regulation governing where a trampoline can be placed in someone’s backyard.
What this means is that anyone can place their trampoline as close to their fences as they would like. One California city tried to see if trampolines could be defined as accessory structures but they came to the conclusion that they could not. Trampolines could not be regulated by city ordinances.
However, if you live in a home that belongs to a Homeowners Association, you may want to search their bylaws to see if there are regulations guiding the placement of trampolines. If there are bylaws and they are violated you can file a complaint with your HA.
Check our how much space you need for a trampoline guide for trampoline spacing tips and recommendations.
Trampoline Higher Than a Fence
This situation falls under the guidelines of the previous section. There are no real city or county laws, etc., that stop a trampoline owner from placing a trampoline in their yard that is higher than your fence.
Having a trampoline higher than a fence may be a safety issue and you should check your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if you are protected from accidents, and injuries that happen due to the play on the trampoline.
Your only recourse is if you live in a Housing Authority which has bylaws stating that nothing can be higher than the fence between yards. You may also want to check to see if your city has a neighbor law but as it stands, trampolines can be higher than fences.
Trampoline Next to My Fence - What Now?
When your neighbor places their trampoline next to your fence, you do have some options. How you handle the situation may spare you a lot of trouble or make you the enemy neighbor for life.
Here are some options available to you:
- Check with a lawyer to see if there are laws governing the placement of the trampoline
- Check with your city to see if they have neighbor laws and see if a trampoline falls under its guidelines
In these two cases your options should be spelled out for you and the next steps you take should all be legal. Barring these options you can:
- Talk to you neighbor and see if they would be willing to move their trampoline
- If they are renters, talk to their landlord and have him tell them to move their trampoline. His insurance may not protect him from any accidents that may occur.
- Talk to your insurance agent to see if you are covered for injury or accidents that may happen
- Put up a screen or make your fence higher
Dog Trampoline Fence
It would be a smart move if you own a dog, to put up a little dog fence to keep your canine pal from using your trampoline to escape his confinement. This has happened in Scotland and we are pretty sure it has happened in other locations as well.
Putting up a little fence to keep your dog off the trampoline not only protects the trampoline mat from his or her claws. But it will also help protect your dog keeping them safe in your back yard.
Some Final Comments
Laws governing the use of trampolines seem to be sparse. Most cities & states are content to let the insurance companies and industry safety standards monitor how you use your trampoline.
To protect yourself ad your family, it would be a wise move to make sure your outdoor trampoline does have some fencing around it. This keeps your kids from suffering bad injuries due to falling off the trampoline. It would also protect your friends.
Plus, a trampoline fence will help save you on insurance policy costs, medical costs and other related expenses. Even if there is no law governing the use of your trampoline, it is always better to be safe than sorry.
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