5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Oakland County, Michigan.
Verified from official government sources
Oakland County does not issue residential swimming pool permits directly. Public pools must be reviewed and permitted by EGLE under MCL 333.12522, while residential pools require a local township/city building permit under the Michigan Residential Code Appendix G. Oakland County Health Division inspects all public pools countywide.
MCL 333.12522(1)–(2)
(1) The department shall review the design, construction, and operation of public swimming pools as necessary to safeguard the public health and to prevent the transmission of disease and the occurrence of accidents resulting from their use. (2) The department shall promulgate rules to carry out sections 12521 to 12534.
Michigan law requires swimming pools to be completely enclosed by a fence or barrier at least 48 inches (4 ft) high, with self-closing and self-latching gates. For public pools, R 325.2128 of the Michigan Administrative Code governs; for residential pools, Appendix G of the Michigan Residential Code (Section AG105) sets the same 48-inch minimum that applies in every Oakland County municipality.
Mich. Admin. Code R. 325.2128(1)
A swimming pool owner shall completely enclose a swimming pool facility by a wall, fence, or other protective enclosure. A swimming pool owner shall ensure that the entire enclosure, including doors and gates, is not less than 4 feet high as measured on the outside, does not provide ready footing for climbing, and is designed to prevent passage through or under the enclosure. A swimming pool ow...
Oakland County Health Division enforces Michigan's public swimming pool safety rules at over 900 pools and spas annually. Rules cover water quality, disinfection, lifeguarding, depth markings, and entrance access. Residential pools are not licensed but must follow Michigan Residential Code Appendix G entrapment-prevention and barrier rules.
MCL 333.12527(1)
A public swimming pool shall not be operated without a license. The owner of a public swimming pool shall obtain a license to operate the public swimming pool from the department or from a local health department designated by the department to issue licenses.
Above-ground pools in Oakland County are regulated as residential pools under Michigan Residential Code Appendix G. A pool with walls at least 48 inches above grade can use the pool wall as the required barrier, but ladders and steps must be removable, lockable, or surrounded by their own 48-inch barrier when not in use.
Michigan Residential Code Appendix G §AG105.5 (paraphrased)
Where the top of the pool structure is above grade, such as an above-ground pool, the barrier is authorized to be at ground level or mounted on top of the pool structure. Where the barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure, the means of access shall be capable of being secured, locked or removed to prevent access.
Residential hot tubs and spas in Oakland County must either be enclosed by a 48-inch barrier or fitted with a listed safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 under Michigan Residential Code Appendix G. Public spas at hotels, gyms, and apartment complexes are licensed and inspected by Oakland County Health Division under MCL 333.12521.
Michigan Residential Code Appendix G §AG105.5 Exception (paraphrased)
Spas and hot tubs with a safety cover that complies with ASTM F1346 shall be exempt from the provisions of this appendix.
1 cities in Oakland County have their own swimming pools & spas rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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