2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Fairfax County requires a building permit from Land Development Services for any private pool, spa or hot tub with a surface area greater than 150 sq ft, capacity over 5,000 gallons, or depth of 24 inches or more. Separate plumbing and electrical permits also apply. All outdoor pools must have a barrier meeting the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code Section 305 (48-inch minimum height).
Fairfax County enforces residential pool barriers under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC, 13VAC5-63), which adopts the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) Section 305 / IRC Appendix AG105. Outdoor pools, hot tubs, and spas must have a 48-inch barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates that open outward, plus a 3-foot clear zone from any climbable structure.
3 cities in Fairfax County have their own swimming pools & spas rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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