Swimming Pools & Spas in Effingham County, GA (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Effingham County, Georgia.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Effingham County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Pool Permits

Anyone building a private swimming pool in unincorporated Effingham County needs Development Services approval before construction. Pools deeper than 1½ feet are barred outright in the B-1, AR, and PUD districts and in every R district unless built as an accessory use that meets the zoning ordinance's location conditions, including a ten-foot buffer from any property line and from the dwelling.

Effingham County Pool Permit Rules

Some Restrictions

Effingham County Zoning Ordinance §§ 3.41.1, 3.41.3

3.41.1 Swimming pools. A swimming pool, whether in the ground, is hereby defined as any pool, lake, or open tank, other than a farm pond, which is not located within a completely enclosed building and which contains, or is capable of containing, water at a depth at any point greater than 1½ feet. No such private swimming pool shall be permitted by Development Services in the B-1, AR, PUD distri...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Fencing & Safety Requirements

Private pools in unincorporated Effingham County must be enclosed by a fence at least four feet high with a self-latching, lockable gate that swings away from the pool so children cannot wander in unsupervised. Community and club pools face the same four-foot minimum plus a requirement that the fence stay grounded for electrical safety and the grounds around it be landscaped.

Effingham County Pool Fence Rules

Some Restrictions

Effingham County Zoning Ordinance §§ 3.41.4, 3.41.5.2

3.41.4 Fence. The swimming pool should be fenced at a minimum of four foot with a self-latching gate with a lockable device that opens away from the pool to prevent uncontrolled access by children. ... 3.41.5. ... 2 The swimming pool and all of the area used by the bathers shall be so walled or fenced as to prevent uncontrolled access by children from the street or adjacent properties. The said...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Effingham County ordinances

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