5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.
Verified from official government sources
Lehigh County does not permit pools; your municipality does under the PA Uniform Construction Code (UCC). A UCC building permit is required for any pool deeper than 24 inches. In Allentown, apply through the Building Standards & Safety office.
34 Pa. Code § 403.62(c)(5)
A permit is not required for prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep.
Pool barriers follow the PA UCC's adopted International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, not a county rule. Outdoor pools and spas must be surrounded by a barrier at least 48 inches high, with gates that open outward, self-close, and self-latch.
ISPSC §§ 305.2.1, 305.3 (adopted by PA UCC, 34 Pa. Code 403.26)
The top of the barrier shall be not less than 48 inches (1219 mm) above grade. ... Pedestrian access gates shall open outward away from the pool or spa, shall be self-closing and shall have a self-latching device.
Residential pool safety is set by the state ISPSC (barrier, gate alarms, anti-entrapment drains), enforced by your municipality. Public and community pools answer to the PA Department of Health under 28 Pa. Code Chapter 18. Lehigh County sets no separate pool-safety rule.
28 Pa. Code § 18.41
Construction, equipment, operation and maintenance at public bathing places shall be such as to reduce to a practical minimum the danger of injury to persons from drowning, falls, collisions, fires, nuisances or hazard of any kind.
Above-ground pools deeper than 24 inches need a municipal UCC permit and a compliant barrier. The pool wall can serve as the barrier if it is at least 48 inches high and the ladder or steps can be secured, locked, or removed when the pool is unattended.
ISPSC § 305.5 (adopted by PA UCC, 34 Pa. Code 403.26)
Ladders or steps used as means of access to the pool are capable of being secured, locked or removed to prevent access except where the ladder or steps are surrounded by a barrier that meets the requirements of Section 305.
A hot tub or spa accessory to a home follows the state ISPSC through the PA UCC. Instead of a perimeter fence, a spa or hot tub fitted with a lockable safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 is exempt from the barrier requirement. Lehigh County sets no separate rule.
ISPSC § 305.1 (adopted by PA UCC, 34 Pa. Code 403.26)
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.
2 cities in Lehigh County have their own swimming pools & spas rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Lehigh County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Lehigh County Ordinance Hub →