Swimming Pools & Spas in Allentown, PA

If you live in Allentown or are thinking about moving there, swimming pools & spas are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Allentown has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of swimming pools & spas, and some of them might surprise you.

Pool Permits

A City of Allentown building permit is required before installing any indoor or outdoor hot tub, spa, above-ground or in-ground swimming pool, and any pool (including inflatables) 24 inches or more in depth; plans must be approved by the city Bureaus before construction begins.

Key details: Permit required: All hot tubs, spas, and pools; any pool 24 in. or more deep. Plans approved by: Bureaus of Health, Water and Plumbing + Bureau of Inspections (Sec. 556-3). Permit fee: Same scale as other building permits (Sec. 556-2; Ch. 225). State exemption: Prefabricated pools under 24 in. deep (34 Pa. Code Sec. 403.62(5)). Penalty: Up to $100 fine per type of work done without a permit.

The city's permit guidance states that 'a fine of $100.00 may be imposed for each type of work being done without a permit.' Constructing or operating a pool without the required permit, plan approval, or inspections is a violation enforced by the Bureau of Building Standards and Safety, which can issue stop-work orders and withhold final approval.

Fencing & Safety Requirements

Allentown's Chapter 556 is silent on fencing, so pool barriers are set by the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, which adopts the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (34 Pa. Code Sec. 403.26(a)): the barrier must be at least 48 inches high, leave no more than 2 inches of ground clearance, block a 4-inch sphere, and pedestrian gates must be self-closing and self-latching.

Key details: Barrier height: Not less than 48 inches above grade (ISPSC 305.2). Bottom clearance: Max 2 inches between grade and barrier. Openings: Must not pass a 4-inch-diameter sphere. Gates: Self-closing, self-latching, open outward (ISPSC 305.3). Governing code: 34 Pa. Code Sec. 403.26(a); ISPSC 2021 Sec. 305.

The Bureau of Building Standards and Safety will not pass the required pool inspection or finalize the permit until the barrier height, gate self-latching hardware, and openings are verified. Operating a pool without a compliant barrier is a UCC violation subject to stop-work orders and code enforcement; the city imposes a fine of up to $100 for each type of work done without the required permit.

This is one of the stricter rules in Allentown's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Allentown's swimming pools & spas rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Allentown is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Allentown's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.