5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Mobile County, Alabama.
Verified from official government sources
A public or community pool in unincorporated Mobile County needs two permits. MCHD Rules §2.5 require a Plan Review Letter from the Health Department, and Inspection Services issues the building permit under the county-adopted 2012 IRC.
Mobile County Health Dept. Rules for Public Pools and Spas, §2.5
Submit complete plans and specifications to the Health Department and the county or respective municipal building or plumbing department of the locality in which the pool is to be constructed.
Public and semi-public pools in Mobile County must sit behind a barrier at least four feet high under MCHD Rules §9.2. A private backyard pool has no county fence ordinance and no zoning setback.
Mobile County Health Dept. Rules for Public Pools and Spas, §9.2
A four (4) feet minimum height is provided entirely around the swimming pool.
Pool safety in Mobile County turns on two things: self-latching gates and drain covers. MCHD Rules §9.2 require self-closing, positive self-latching gates, and §4.8 requires an anti-vortex drain cover to prevent entrapment.
Mobile County Health Dept. Rules for Public Pools and Spas, §4.8
The drain outlet shall be protected by an anti-vortex cover, a twelve (12) inch by twelve (12) inch grating or other approved measures.
An above-ground pool gets no special break in Mobile County. It needs a county building permit under the adopted 2012 IRC, and as an outdoor pool the MCHD Rules §9.2 barrier applies when it is public.
Mobile County Health Dept. Rules for Public Pools and Spas, §9.2
All swimming pools located outdoors shall be protected by a fence, wall, building or other enclosure or any combination thereof which completely encloses the swimming pool area
A public or semi-public spa in Mobile County is permitted and inspected like a pool. MCHD Rules §4.8 require an anti-vortex, anti-entrapment drain cover, and a private hot tub needs a county electrical permit.
Mobile County Health Dept. Rules for Public Pools and Spas, §4.8
A pool shall not operate without the drain covering in place, secured and in good repair.
1 cities in Mobile County have their own swimming pools & spas rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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