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Swimming Pools & Spas in Lincoln County, SD (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Lincoln County, South Dakota.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Lincoln County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Pool Permits

In unincorporated Lincoln County, South Dakota, any structure regulated by the county's adopted building code, including a residential swimming pool, needs a building permit from the building official under R105.1 at § 151.33. The only pool exemption listed at R105.2 item 7 is a prefabricated pool less than 18 inches deep, meaning any pool 18 inches deep or more requires a permit before construction.

Lincoln County SD Residential Pool Permit

Some Restrictions

Lincoln County Code § 151.33 (IRC R105.1, R105.2)

R105.1 Required. Any owner or owner’s authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be performed, s...

Fencing & Safety Requirements

Any outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, or spa deeper than 18 inches in unincorporated Lincoln County, South Dakota must be surrounded by a barrier at least 42 inches tall with no more than 2 inches of ground clearance, under Lincoln County Code § 151.33's adoption of 2018 IRC Appendix R326.4. Gates through the barrier must have self-closing, self-latching hardware, and the barrier must be installed, inspected, and approved before the pool is filled with water.

Pool Barrier Rules in Lincoln County, SD

Some Restrictions

Lincoln County Code § 151.33 (IRC R326.3, R326.4)

R326.3 Application. ... shall apply to all existing pools, which have a depth of 18 inches (457 mm) or more of water. ... R326.4 Outdoor swimming pool. An outdoor swimming pool, including an in-ground, above-ground, or on-ground pool, hot tub, or spa, shall be surrounded by a barrier that shall be installed, inspected, and approved prior to filling with water that completely surrounds and obstr...

All Lincoln County ordinances

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