5 rules for unincorporated Henrico County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Because Henrico County governs its entire territory (no towns), any residential swimming pool, spa, or hot tub built here needs a Henrico Building Inspections permit. Pools are regulated construction under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), which Henrico administers countywide.
Va. Code § 36-99
The Building Code shall prescribe building regulations to be complied with in the construction and rehabilitation of buildings and structures, and the equipment therein as defined in § 36-97.
Every outdoor residential pool in Henrico must be surrounded by a barrier at least 48 inches high, measured from the outside, with openings too small to pass a 4-inch sphere. Henrico enforces the Virginia pool barrier code countywide as part of the USBC.
VA Swimming Pool and Spa Code (2018) §§ 305.2.1, 305.2.2
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. ... Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a 4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere.
In Henrico, pedestrian gates in a pool barrier must open outward, be self-closing, and have a self-latching device, with the latch placed to keep small children out. These Virginia pool-code safety rules apply to every residential pool in the county.
VA Swimming Pool and Spa Code (2018) § 305.3
Pedestrian access gates shall open outward away from the pool or spa, shall be self-closing and shall have a self-latching device.
Above-ground pools in Henrico holding water over 24 inches deep still require a building permit and the same 48-inch barrier as in-ground pools. A pool wall at least 48 inches high can serve as the barrier if the ladder is removable, lockable, or fenced.
VA Swimming Pool and Spa Code (2018) § 305.2
Outdoor pools and spas and indoor swimming pools shall be surrounded by a barrier that complies with Sections 305.2.1 through 305.7.
A spa or hot tub in Henrico is exempt from the pool-barrier requirement if it has a lockable safety cover meeting ASTM F1346. Without such a cover, the hot tub needs the same 48-inch barrier as a pool, and it still requires a building/electrical permit.
VA Swimming Pool and Spa Code (2018) § 305.1
Where spas or hot tubs are equipped with a lockable safety cover complying with ASTM F1346 and swimming pools are equipped with a powered safety cover that complies with ASTM F1346, the areas where those spas, hot tubs or pools are located shall not be required to comply with Sections 305.2 through 305.7.
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