Swimming Pools & Spas in Wilmington, NC (2026)
2 verified swimming pools & spas rules for Wilmington, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pool Permits
Wilmington requires a building permit before any residential swimming pool goes into the ground, because City Code Section 18-50 treats a pool as a 'structure' whose construction cannot start without a permit from the city manager's designee or the New Hanover County Inspections Department. Zoning setback rules in Section 18-308 and a fencing mandate in Section 6-18 both feed into that permit review.
Wilmington Residential Swimming Pool Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsWilmington, NC Code of Ordinances § 18-50(a)(1)
(a)Except as provided in G.S. § 160A-417 and the state building code, no person within the city shall commence or proceed with any of the following activities without first applying for and receiving from the city manager or designee and/or the county inspections department, as appropriate, one (1) or more permits covering all such work or changes:(1)The construction, reconstruction, alteration...
Fencing & Safety Requirements
Wilmington City Code § 6-18 requires any permanent outdoor pool 18 inches deep or more to be completely surrounded by a fence or wall at least 4 feet tall. Commercial pools and hotel pools under constant surveillance are exempt, and existing pool owners got up to 90 days after notice to comply.
Wilmington Outdoor Pool Fence Height Requirement
Some RestrictionsWilmington City Code § 6-18
(a)Except as otherwise provided in this section, no person shall construct or maintain in the city any permanent outdoor swimming pool having a depth of water of eighteen (18) inches or greater at its deepest point unless the pool is completely surrounded by a fence or wall not less than four (4) feet in height.(b)The requirements of this section shall not apply to commercial pools and pools op...
Looking for New Hanover County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Wilmington city rules.
Swimming Pools & Spas in New Hanover County →