5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Pierce County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Pierce County, a building permit from Planning & Public Works (PPW) is required to construct an in-ground or above-ground residential pool, spa, or hot tub, because Washington enforces the 2021 International Residential Code through the State Building Code, WAC 51-51.
Any outdoor residential pool in unincorporated Pierce County that holds water over 24 inches deep must be surrounded by a barrier at least 48 inches high, per the 2021 International Residential Code Appendix G that Washington adopts through WAC 51-51 and PPW enforces.
2021 IRC Appendix G, Section AG105.2 (item 1), adopted by WAC 51-51
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.
Residential pool safety in unincorporated Pierce County follows 2021 IRC Appendix G, adopted through Washington's WAC 51-51, which requires self-closing, self-latching pedestrian gates on the barrier; public and semipublic pools are separately regulated by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Officer under PCC Chapter 8.44.
2021 IRC Appendix G, Section AG105.2 (item 5), adopted by WAC 51-51
Pedestrian access gates shall open outward away from the pool and shall be self-closing and have a self-latching device.
Above-ground pools in unincorporated Pierce County follow the same rules as in-ground pools: prefabricated pools less than 24 inches deep are exempt, but any above-ground pool holding water over 24 inches deep needs a permit and a compliant 48-inch barrier under 2021 IRC Appendix G.
In unincorporated Pierce County, spas and hot tubs fall under 2021 IRC Appendix G, but county guidance provides that a spa or hot tub with an approved lockable safety cover, and a pool with a powered lockable cover complying with ASTM F1346, need not have a separate 48-inch barrier installed.
2 cities in Pierce County have their own swimming pools & spas rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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