5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Benton County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Benton County requires a building permit for any residential pool, spa, or hot tub holding water more than 24 inches deep, built under the 2021 Washington State Building Code (WAC 51-51), with the pool itself following the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code.
WAC 51-51-0327 (Section R327), Swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs
The design and construction of swimming pools, spas, and other aquatic recreation facilities shall comply with the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code.
A residential pool, spa, or hot tub in unincorporated Benton County must be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high, with no opening a 4-inch sphere can pass and gates that self-close and self-latch, under the 2021 ISPSC adopted through WAC 51-51.
2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, Section 305.2 (via WAC 51-51-0327)
The top of the barrier shall be not less than 48 inches (1219 mm) above grade where measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the pool or spa.
Beyond the 48-inch barrier, Benton County enforces the 2021 ISPSC entrapment and access provisions for residential pools, while public and semi-public pools follow WAC 246-260 under the Benton-Franklin Health District, including anti-entrapment drain covers.
An above-ground pool holding water over 24 inches deep needs a Benton County building permit and must meet the 2021 ISPSC barrier rules, though a pool wall at least 48 inches high can itself serve as the barrier.
2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, Section 305.2 (via WAC 51-51-0327)
An onground residential pool wall structure or a barrier mounted on top of an onground residential pool wall structure shall serve as a barrier where the bottom of the wall is on grade, the top of the wall is not less than 48 inches (1219 mm) above grade for the entire perimeter of the pool, the wall complies with the requirements of Section 305.2 and the pool manufacturer allows the wall to se...
A hot tub or spa holding water over 24 inches deep needs a Benton County building permit, but the 2021 ISPSC exempts a spa fitted with an ASTM F1346 safety cover from the 48-inch barrier requirement.
1 cities in Benton County have their own swimming pools & spas rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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