Swimming Pools & Spas in Birmingham, AL (2026)
5 verified swimming pools & spas rules for Birmingham, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pool Permits
Birmingham does not require a building permit to construct a residential swimming pool, but the applicant must submit a site plan and obtain Zoning approval before starting work, and separate electrical and plumbing permits (with inspections) are mandatory. Public pools have a far stricter process: the Jefferson County Board of Health requires engineer-stamped plans, a permit to construct, and an operational permit before a pool may open.
No building permit for pools; zoning sign-off required
Some RestrictionsCity of Birmingham 2024 Technical Code (Ordinance 15-164), Sec. 103.1.1, Exception item 13
EXCEPTION: Permits shall not be required for the following work except as noted herein: ... 13. Building permits for swimming pools are not required; Applicant shall provide a site plan and obtain approval from Zoning before starting work. Electrical and plumbing permits and associated inspections are required.
Fencing Requirements
Birmingham enforces the Alabama Residential Code (2021 International Residential Code, Appendix G), which requires every outdoor residential swimming pool to be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high with no openings that pass a 4-inch sphere and a maximum 2-inch gap below the barrier. Public and apartment-complex pools fall under the stricter Jefferson County Board of Health rules, which require a minimum 4-foot fence with self-closing, self-latching, lockable gates.
48-inch barrier required around residential pools
Heavy RestrictionsInternational Residential Code Appendix G, Sec. AG105.2 (adopted by Birmingham as part of the IRC 2021 Edition via Technical Code, Ordinance 15-164)
The top of the barrier shall be at least 48 inches (1219 mm) above grade measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool. The maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall be 2 inches (51 mm) measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool. Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a 4-inch-diameter ...
Safety Rules
Public, apartment, and condominium pools in Birmingham must be maintained to Jefferson County Board of Health standards: a minimum free available chlorine residual of 1.5 ppm tested at least three times daily, pH kept between 7.2 and 7.8 and tested at least twice daily, and water clear enough that a marked disc is visible through 15 feet of water. Private residential pools are not subject to this health-department monitoring but must keep their safety barriers and self-latching gates compliant.
Public pools: daily chlorine, pH, and clarity standards
Heavy RestrictionsJefferson County Department of Health, Rules and Regulations Governing the Design, Construction, and Operation of Public Swimming Pools and Spas, Chapter 1 (Operation - Chlorine Residual and pH)
Chlorine Residual. A chlorine residual test shall be made at least three (3) times daily. At all times the pool is in operation the water shall have a minimum free available chlorine residual at any point in the pools as follows: Unstabilized - 1.5 ppm. pH. The normal pH or measure of hydrogen-ion content at no time shall be below 7.2 and should be maintained between this limit and 7.8 on the p...
Above-Ground Pools
Under the residential code Birmingham adopts, an above-ground pool whose wall serves as the safety barrier must have a ladder or steps that can be secured, locked, or removed to prevent access, or be surrounded by a fully compliant pool fence. As with in-ground pools, no building permit is needed to install an above-ground pool, but a site plan, Zoning approval, and electrical permits/inspections are required.
Above-ground pools: lockable or removable ladder
Some RestrictionsInternational Residential Code Appendix G, Sec. AG105.2 item 10 (adopted by Birmingham via IRC 2021 Edition, Technical Code Ordinance 15-164)
Where an above-ground pool structure is used as a barrier or where the barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure, and the means of access is a ladder or steps: 1. The ladder or steps shall be capable of being secured, locked or removed to prevent access; or 2. The ladder or steps shall be surrounded by a barrier which meets the requirements of Section AG105.2, Items 1 through 9.
Hot Tub Rules
Jefferson County treats public spas, hot tubs, and therapy pools the same as public swimming pools: they need engineer-stamped plans, a permit to construct, and an operational permit, and they are subject to the same water-quality and barrier rules. Private backyard hot tubs are not health-inspected, but if a residential spa lacks a built-in lockable safety cover it must be enclosed by a compliant pool barrier under the adopted residential code.
Public spas regulated like pools by county health dept
Some RestrictionsJefferson County Department of Health, Rules and Regulations Governing Public Swimming Pools and Spas, Sec. 1.6 and Sec. 1.8
The term 'public pool' as used herein shall apply to all public spas, public, semi-public pools... It shall be unlawful to construct, maintain, repair, or use a public swimming pool or spa in violation of these regulations.
Looking for Jefferson County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Birmingham city rules.
Swimming Pools & Spas in Jefferson County →