5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Marion County, Oregon.
Verified from official government sources
A building permit is required to install a permanent in-ground or above-ground pool in Marion County. State code treats any pool holding water over 24 inches deep as a regulated swimming pool that must have a compliant barrier.
ORSC Appendix G, Section AG102.1
SWIMMING POOL. Any structure intended for swimming or recreational bathing that contains water over 24 inches (610 mm) deep.
A residential pool must be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high, measured from the outside. Openings in the barrier cannot let a 4-inch sphere pass through, keeping young children from slipping between rails or gaps.
ORSC Appendix G, Section 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. Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a 4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere.
Pedestrian gates in a pool barrier must open outward away from the pool and be self-closing and self-latching. The latch must be high or shielded so a small child cannot reach over the gate and release it.
ORSC Appendix G, Section AG105.2
Pedestrian access gates shall open outward away from the pool and shall be self-closing and have a self-latching device.
An above-ground pool needs the same barrier protection as an in-ground pool. If the pool wall itself serves as the barrier, the ladder or steps must be secured, locked, or removable so children cannot climb in when the pool is unattended.
ORSC Appendix G, Section AG105.2
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 Section AG105.2.
A spa or hot tub is exempt from the pool-barrier requirements if it has a safety cover meeting the ASTM F1346 standard. Without a compliant cover, the same 48-inch barrier rules that apply to pools apply to the spa.
ORSC Appendix G, Section AG105.5
Spas or hot tubs with a safety cover which complies with ASTM F1346, as listed in Section AG108, shall be exempt from the provisions of this appendix.
1 cities in Marion 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 Marion County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Marion County Ordinance Hub →