5 rules for unincorporated Howard County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
A building permit from Howard County's Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits is required before installing an in-ground or permanent pool or spa. Design must meet the Maryland-adopted 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, and a compliant barrier must be in place before water is added.
Residential pools in Howard County must be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high, measured from the outside grade, under Maryland's adopted 2021 pool code. The gap between the ground and the bottom of the barrier cannot exceed 2 inches, and openings must block a 4-inch sphere.
Maryland Swimming Pool and Spa Code (2021 ISPSC) § 305.2.1
The top of the barrier shall be not less than 48 inches (1219 mm) above grade. The vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall not exceed 2 inches (51 mm).
Under Maryland's adopted 2021 pool code, every pedestrian gate or door in a Howard County pool barrier must open outward away from the pool, be self-closing, and have a self-latching device. A pool-side release must sit at least 3 inches below the top of the gate.
Maryland Swimming Pool and Spa Code (2021 ISPSC) § 305.3
Pedestrian access doors and gates shall open outward away from the pool or spa, shall be self-closing and shall have a self-latching device.
For above-ground (onground) pools in Howard County, the pool wall itself can serve as the required barrier if its top is at least 48 inches above grade, under Maryland's adopted 2021 code. Any ladder or steps must be removable, capable of being secured, or protected by an approved barrier.
Maryland Swimming Pool and Spa Code (2021 ISPSC) § 305.5
An onground residential pool wall structure or a barrier mounted on top of an onground residential pool wall structure shall serve as a barrier [where] the top of the wall is not less than 48 inches (1219 mm) above grade.
In Howard County, spas and hot tubs equipped with a lockable safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 are exempt from the pool barrier fencing requirements under Maryland's adopted 2021 code. Without such a cover, a spa must be enclosed by the same 48-inch barrier required for pools.
Maryland Swimming Pool and Spa Code (2021 ISPSC) § 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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