Swimming Pools & Spas in Hawaii County, HI (2026)
2 rules for unincorporated Hawaii County, Hawaii.
Verified from official government sources
Pool Permits
Hawai'i County requires a building permit before you construct a residential swimming pool: HCC Section 5-3-1(a)(1) covers erecting or constructing any structure, and a pool of 24 inches or more deep counts. The only carve-out is a water feature or pool under 24 inches deep serving a one- or two-family home, exempted by Section 5-3-22(a)(1)(K).
Residential Pool Permits in Hawai'i County
Some RestrictionsHawai'i County Code § 5-3-1(a)(1); § 5-3-22(a)(1)(K); § 5-7-3(d)
Section 5-3-1. Permit required; generally. (a) Except as provided in division 2, no person shall perform any of the following work or cause or permit the same to be done on any building or structure in the County, without first obtaining a permit for this work from the authority having jurisdiction: (1) Erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, relocate, improve, remove, convert, or demolish an...
Fencing & Safety Requirements
Hawai'i County's Residential Building Code adopts IRC Section R326 with local amendments at HCC Section 5B-2-1(36), requiring a barrier at least 48 inches above grade around any pool holding more than 24 inches of water. Gaps under the barrier cannot exceed 2 inches, openings cannot pass a 4-inch sphere, and pedestrian gates must self-close and self-latch.
Swimming Pool Barrier Rules in Hawai'i County
Some RestrictionsHawai'i County Code § 5B-2-1(36) (adopting IRC § R326.1-R326.4)
(36) Section R326, "Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs" of the International Residential Code, is amended to read as follows: "R326.1 General. Swimming pools shall comply with the requirements of sections R326.2 through R326.4 and other applicable sections of this code. R326.2. Definition. "SWIMMING POOL" shall, for the purposes of this section, have the following meaning: "Any structure intende...
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