5 rules for unincorporated Baltimore County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Baltimore County requires a building permit for all in-ground pools (which also need a code-compliant fence), and for above-ground pools over 250 square feet with a water depth of 24 inches or more. Permits are issued by the Department of Permits, Approvals & Inspections (PAI).
Baltimore County PAI — Swimming Pools Building Permit
Above-ground Swimming Pools: All above-ground pools over 250 square feet with a water depth of 24 inches or more require a permit. ... In-ground Swimming Pools: All in-ground pools require a permit and a fence built to code.
Baltimore County requires every residential pool to be completely enclosed by a fence at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates that open outward away from the pool. Openings must not pass a four-inch sphere, and the fence must support a 200-pound lateral load at the top.
Baltimore County PAI — Residential Swimming Pool (Form PAI BPP 10)
Pool shall be completely enclosed with a fence meeting the requirements below except for the use of a dwelling wall. 48 inches high with self-closing and self-latching gates; Gates shall open outward away from the pool ... Openings must not allow the passage of a four-inch sphere; Must support a 200-pound lateral load at the top
Where a dwelling wall forms part of the pool barrier, Baltimore County requires doors with direct pool access to have a UL 2017-listed audible alarm. Pools must sit at least 10 feet from overhead electrical wires (NEC 680.9) and comply with mandatory energy-savings measures under the 2015 IECC.
Baltimore County PAI — Residential Swimming Pool (Form PAI BPP 10)
Dwelling wall as a barrier. Where a wall of a dwelling serves as part of the barrier ... Doors with direct access to the pool through that wall shall be equipped with an alarm that produces an audible warning when the door or its screen, if present, are opened. The alarm shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2017.
Above-ground pools in Baltimore County need a building permit when over 250 square feet with water 24 inches or more deep. Where access is by ladder or steps, the ladder or steps must be secured, locked, or removed to prevent access, per Section 3109.4.1.9 of the 2015 IBC.
Baltimore County PAI — Residential Swimming Pool (Form PAI BPP 10); 2015 IBC §3109.4.1.9
Above ground pool. Where the means of access to above-ground pools is a ladder or steps, the ladder or steps must be secured, locked or removed to prevent access. (Section 3109.4.1.9 2015 IBC)
Baltimore County has no separate private hot-tub ordinance; private spas follow the same building/barrier code as pools. Public and semipublic spas are regulated by Maryland COMAR 10.17.01, which requires compliance with the American National Standard for Public Spas and a certified operator.
COMAR 10.17.01.14A
An owner shall ensure that an existing, newly built, or altered public spa is in compliance with: (1) This chapter; (2) Applicable State and local codes; and (3) The American National Standard for Public Spas.
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