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

Every city handles swimming pools & spas a little differently. In Erie, Pennsylvania, there are 4 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.

Fencing Requirements

A residential swimming pool, hot tub, or spa in the City of Erie must comply with the barrier provisions of the International Residential and International Building Codes, and any yard fence or pool enclosure in a residential district may not exceed six feet six inches in height under the Erie Zoning Ordinance.

Key details: Code Section: Erie Codified Ord. Art. 1503.2; IRC Appendix G (AG105); Erie Zoning Ord. Sec. 205.19. Barrier height: At least 48 inches above grade (IRC AG105.2). Ground clearance: Maximum 2 inches below the barrier. Opening limit: No passage of a 4-inch-diameter sphere. Gate: Self-closing and self-latching, opening outward away from pool.

The City of Erie Code Enforcement office (City Hall Room 407) will not finalize a swimming pool permit until field inspection confirms the barrier, gate, and enclosure comply with the adopted International Residential and Building Codes. Non-compliant or unsafe barriers can be cited under the building code and the property maintenance code, and an Erie County Health Department pool inspection (fee $325) may also apply.

Compared to other cities, Erie takes a harder line on fencing requirements. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Pool Permits

The City of Erie requires a building permit for any swimming pool deeper than 24 inches, and the pool, hot tub, or spa must comply with the International Residential and Building Codes; the pool must sit at least six feet from the dwelling and side and rear property lines and may not be installed in front of the house.

Key details: Code Section: Erie Codified Ord. Art. 1503; City Residential Building Permits policy. Permit trigger: All pools deeper than 24 inches. Exemption: Prefabricated pools shallower than 24 inches. Base fee: $29.50 for projects valued at $2,000 or less. Setbacks: Minimum 6 ft from dwelling and from side and rear property lines.

Installing a pool deeper than 24 inches without a permit violates the City of Erie building code as adopted in Codified Ordinance Article 1503. Work may be stopped and the project will not be finalized until plan review, fees, and the required inspections are completed; barrier and equipment compliance with the International Residential and Building Codes is verified at final inspection.

Safety Rules

Pools in Erie must comply with the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act (15 USC 8003) requiring anti-entrapment drain covers, plus the PA UCC adoption of the 2018 ISPSC for circulation, electrical bonding, alarms, and barriers. Public pools also need a PADEP Bathing Place permit.

Key details: Federal Law: VGB Act (15 USC 8003). Drain Cover Std: ANSI/APSP-16 (now PHTA-7). Pool & Spa Code: 2018 ISPSC via PA UCC. Bonding: NFPA 70 Article 680. Public Pool Permit: PADEP, 35 P.S. 672.

Operating a public pool without VGB-compliant drain covers or a PADEP Bathing Place permit triggers federal CPSC enforcement and state closure orders. Residential failures of UCC bonding, GFCI, alarm, or barrier rules are city code violations.

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

Hot Tub Rules

In Erie, a hot tub or spa accessory to a one- or two-family dwelling is regulated as a swimming pool: it must comply with the International Residential and Building Codes the city adopts, and statewide it must meet the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code under 34 Pa. Code Section 403.26.

Key details: Code Section: 34 Pa. Code Sec. 403.26; Erie Codified Ord. Art. 1503. State code: International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (accessory residential). Permit threshold: Pools/spas deeper than 24 inches require a city permit. Barrier rules: Same IRC Appendix G / AG105 barrier as in-ground pools. Non-residential: Must also meet the Public Bathing Law (35 P.S. 672-680d).

Installing a hot tub or spa over the city permit threshold without a permit, or without a compliant barrier or cover, violates the building code adopted in Erie Codified Ordinance Article 1503 and 34 Pa. Code Section 403.26. The project will not pass final inspection until barrier and equipment compliance is verified.

The Bottom Line

Erie is tougher than many cities when it comes to swimming pools & spas. Out of the 4 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Erie, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on Erie's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.