Swimming Pools & Spas in Durham, NC (2026)
2 verified swimming pools & spas rules for Durham, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pool Permits
Any Durham pool deeper than 24 inches with at least 100 square feet of surface area needs a building permit through Durham Inspections, plus UDO site standards: private pools must sit behind the principal house and at least five feet from any property line, with a self-latching fence around every outdoor pool.
Durham Residential Pool Permit Standards
Some RestrictionsDurham UDO § 5.4.9; City Code § 10-48
UDO § 5.4.9: "In-ground and above-ground pools are subject to any applicable public health and building code requirements. When allowed, in-ground and above-ground swimming pools that have a water depth over 24 inches and have a surface area of at least 100 square feet shall be subject to the following additional requirements: ... Private swimming pools ... shall not be located between the stre...
Fencing & Safety Requirements
Durham's UDO § 5.4.9 requires every outdoor community, private club, townhouse, rowhouse, multiplex and apartment pool to be enclosed by a fence at least four feet high with a maximum opacity of 50% and self-closing, self-latching gates at every entry. The section covers pools deeper than 24 inches with at least 100 square feet of surface.
Durham UDO Swimming Pool Fence Rules
Some RestrictionsDurham UDO § 5.4.9, Swimming Pools
When allowed, in-ground and above-ground swimming pools that have a water depth over 24 inches and have a surface area of at least 100 square feet shall be subject to the following additional requirements: ... and shall not be closer than five feet to any property line. ... B. Outdoor Community Pools, Private Club Pools, or Townhouse, Detached Rowhouse, Multiplex and Apartment Pools ... 3 . All...
Looking for Durham County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Durham city rules.
Swimming Pools & Spas in Durham County →