Swimming Pools & Spas in Sandy, UT

Sandy maintains 131 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with swimming pools & spas. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Sandy falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Pool Permits

Sandy City requires a valid building permit before any grading connected to a residential swimming pool, per Sandy City Code § 21-27-12. Private pools must also sit at least five feet from property lines and be enclosed by a six-foot fence under § 21-11-10.

Key details: Permit required: Valid building permit before pool grading, §21-27-12. Setback: 5 feet minimum from property lines. Fence height: 6 feet minimum around private pools. Fence openings: No opening larger than 36 square inches. Gate: Self-closing and self-latching device required.

Building without a permit, or skipping the required Chief Building Official and City Engineer inspections, is enforced as a code violation under Sandy's default penalty schedule at Code § 1-2-2: a Class B misdemeanor carrying up to a $1,000 fine for an individual (or $5,000 for a business) and up to six months in jail under §§ 1-2-3 and 1-2-4. An unfenced or improperly barriered pool is also a life-safety hazard the Building Division can order corrected.

Fencing & Safety Requirements

Sandy requires any private pool not fully enclosed by a building's solid walls to sit back at least five feet from property lines and be completely surrounded by a fence or wall at least six feet tall. Openings can't exceed 36 square inches, and gates need self-closing, self-latching hardware.

Key details: Pool setback: 5 ft minimum from property lines. Fence/wall height: 6 ft minimum, full enclosure. Maximum opening size: 36 sq in. Gate hardware: Self-closing and self-latching required. Semi-private pool fence: 6-8 ft, Planning Commission approval.

Sandy City Code § 21-11-10 doesn't carry its own fine schedule for a missing or noncompliant pool barrier, so an unfenced pool, a fence under six feet, oversized gaps, or a gate without self-closing and self-latching hardware is enforced as a general Code violation under §§ 1-2-2 and 1-2-3: a Class B misdemeanor carrying up to $1,000 in fines and up to six months in jail for an individual, on top of any Building Code correction order tied to the pool's construction permit.

The Bottom Line

Sandy'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 Sandy is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Sandy can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.