5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Cumberland County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Cumberland County, a private pool is an allowed incidental use but needs a County zoning permit before excavation. Pools must sit at least 10 feet from side and rear lot lines, and no permit issues until a water-discharge plan is approved.
Cumberland County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 1002.C.1
Every swimming pool, public and private, as defined by this ordinance is permitted as an incidental use and shall be regulated as follows: 1. The setback for a swimming pool from any side and rear lot line shall be ten feet.
Cumberland County requires a fence at least four feet high to completely enclose the yard area holding a pool, with a securely fastening gate for below-ground pools. Fence spacing may not exceed four inches and must meet the current NC State Building Code guard-opening limits.
Cumberland County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 1002.C.2
A fence shall be erected to a minimum height of four feet to completely enclose the portion of yard containing the pool and shall include a gate that can be securely fastened for below-ground pools. The horizontal/vertical spacing in the fence shall be a maximum of four inches.
North Carolina's Residential Code (adopted countywide) requires pool barrier gates to open outward, be self-closing, and self-latching. Cumberland County adds shielded floodlights and National Electrical Code wiring. These IRC-based barrier controls exist to prevent drownings.
NC State Residential Code, Sec. AG105.2 (Item 8)
Pedestrian access gates shall open outward away from the pool and shall be self-closing and have a self-latching device. Gates other than pedestrian access gates shall have a self-latching device.
Cumberland County treats above-ground pools like any private pool: a zoning permit, 10-foot setback, and enclosing four-foot fence apply. Under the NC Residential Code, an above-ground pool's own wall may serve as the barrier, or the barrier may mount on top of the pool structure.
NC State Residential Code, Sec. AG105.2 (Item 1)
Where the top of the pool structure is above grade, such as an aboveground pool, the barrier may be at ground level, such as the pool structure, or mounted on top of the pool structure. Where the barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure, the maximum vertical clearance... shall be 4 inches.
A hot tub or spa holding water over 24 inches deep meets Cumberland County's pool definition, so barrier rules apply. The NC Residential Code exempts spas and hot tubs fitted with a safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 from the barrier requirements.
NC State Residential Code, Sec. AG105.5 (Barrier exceptions)
Spas or hot tubs with a safety cover which complies with ASTM F 1346, as listed in Section AG107, shall be exempt from the provisions of this appendix.
1 cities in Cumberland County have their own swimming pools & spas rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Cumberland County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Cumberland County Ordinance Hub →