5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Lane County, Oregon.
Verified from official government sources
Yes. In unincorporated Lane County a swimming pool holding water over 24 inches deep is a structure under the Oregon Residential Specialty Code and needs a building permit from Lane County Building Program. Inside cities, the city permits.
Oregon Residential Specialty Code, Appendix G, AG102.1
Swimming pool. Any structure intended for swimming or recreational bathing that contains water over 24 inches (610 mm) deep. This includes in-ground, above-ground and on-ground swimming pools, hot tubs and spas.
A residential pool over 24 inches deep must be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high measured from the outside grade, under the Oregon Residential Specialty Code adopted countywide. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching.
Oregon Residential Specialty Code, Appendix G, AG105.2
The top of the barrier shall be at least 48 inches (1219 mm) above grade measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool. Access gates shall be self-closing and have a self-latching device.
Private pools follow Oregon Residential Specialty Code barrier and gate rules. Public and semi-public pools (HOA, park, apartment) must also meet Oregon Health Authority rules OAR 333-060, including a four-foot enclosure and self-latching gates.
OAR 333-060-0105
Enclosures shall be not less than four feet (1.2m) in height measured from the outside ground level at a point one foot (300 mm) horizontal from the base of the enclosure. There shall be not more than four inches (100 mm) of space between the bottom of the enclosure and the ground's surface.
Above-ground pools over 24 inches deep still need a permit and barrier under the Oregon Residential Specialty Code. If the pool wall is the barrier, its ladder or steps must be removable, lockable, or secured so children cannot access the pool.
Oregon Residential Specialty Code, Appendix G, AG105.2 (Item 10)
Where an above-ground pool structure is used as a barrier and the means of access is a ladder or steps: the ladder or steps shall be capable of being secured, locked or removed to prevent access; or the ladder or steps shall be surrounded by a barrier which meets the requirements of this section.
A hot tub or spa holding water over 24 inches deep needs the same permit and barrier as a pool, but Oregon Residential Specialty Code exempts a spa or hot tub fitted with a safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 from the barrier requirement.
Oregon Residential Specialty Code, Appendix G, AG105.5
Spas or hot tubs with a safety cover which complies with ASTM F1346 shall be exempt from the provisions of this appendix.
1 cities in Lane County have their own swimming pools & spas rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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