Boise's Swimming Pools & Spas: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles swimming pools & spas a little differently. In Boise, Idaho, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Pool Permits

Boise requires a building permit for any residential swimming pool deeper than four feet; only prefabricated pools four feet deep or shallower skip the permit step under the city's residential code amendments.

Key details: Permit trigger: Pools deeper than 4 feet. Exempt: Prefabricated pools 4 ft deep or less. Issuing agency: Planning & Development Services Dept.. Code basis: IRC § R105.2 (Boise amendment). No-permit risk: Stop work order under § R114.

Building a pool that needs a permit without one exposes the owner to a stop work order under the city's adopted IRC Section R114, halting construction until the violation is corrected and the permit is obtained.

Fencing & Safety Requirements

Boise's Development Code defines an improperly maintained or secured swimming pool or hot tub as an 'attractive nuisance,' putting owners at risk of code enforcement action and misdemeanor charges.

Key details: Governing definition: 'Nuisance, Special', § 11-06-03. Enforcement: Code Compliance Officers, Planning Director. Penalty basis: Violation under § 11-05-07. Criminal penalty: Up to $1,000 fine, 6 months jail. Applies to: Pools and hot tubs citywide.

Failing to secure a pool or hot tub is a Development Code violation and misdemeanor under Section 1-4-1: up to $1,000, six months in jail, or both, per day.

The Bottom Line

Boise'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 Boise is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Boise's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.