5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Ramsey County, Minnesota.
Verified from official government sources
Ramsey County itself does not permit backyard pools. A private residential pool is a structure under the Minnesota Residential Code (part of the State Building Code) and needs a building permit from your city's building official (e.g. St. Paul), not the county.
Ramsey County Public Health enforces fencing for PUBLIC pools under Minn. Rules 4717.1550: fences must be at least five feet high with self-closing, self-latching lockable gates. A private backyard pool's barrier is set by the Minnesota Residential Code and enforced by your city.
Minn. R. 4717.1550, subp. 2
Fencing must: be at least five feet high; be equipped with self-closing, self-latching gates capable of being locked; not have any opening greater than four inches; not have any opening greater than two inches below the fence; not be a readily climbable design.
Ramsey County Public Health licenses and inspects PUBLIC swimming pools (apartments, hotels, clubs) under Minnesota Rules ch. 4717, covering barriers, water quality, and safety equipment. Private home pools follow the Minnesota Residential Code enforced by your city.
Ramsey County sets no rule for private above-ground pools. Your city permits and inspects them under the Minnesota Residential Code, which requires a compliant safety barrier — the pool wall can serve as the barrier if it is at least 48 inches high above grade.
A private residential hot tub or spa is governed by the Minnesota Residential Code and permitted by your city, not Ramsey County. PUBLIC spas (at hotels, clubs, apartments) are licensed and inspected by Ramsey County Public Health under Minnesota Rules ch. 4717.
1 cities in Ramsey County have their own swimming pools & spas rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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