5 rules for unincorporated Spartanburg County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
A residential pool in unincorporated Spartanburg County needs a building permit from the Building Codes department, which enforces the state-adopted 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC). Temporary construction fencing is required from first excavation until the permanent barrier is finished.
2024 ISPSC 305.1.1 (adopted by Spartanburg County)
The construction sites for in-ground swimming pools and spas shall be provided with construction fencing to surround the site from the time that any excavation occurs up to the time that the permanent barrier is completed. The fencing shall be not less than 4 feet (1219 mm) in height.
Spartanburg County enforces the 2024 ISPSC barrier standard: a residential pool must be surrounded by a barrier at least 48 inches (four feet) above grade, with no opening large enough to pass a 4-inch sphere. The county publishes these exact requirements.
2024 ISPSC 305.2.1, 305.2.2
The top of the barrier shall be not less than 48 inches (1219 mm) above grade where measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the pool or spa. Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a 4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere.
Residential pool gates must open outward, self-close, and self-latch under the county-adopted ISPSC. Neighborhood and HOA (public) pools common around Boiling Springs also fall under SC DHEC Reg. 61-51, which requires a minimum four-foot fence with self-latching gates.
S.C. Code Regs. 61-51.C.8
All outdoor Type "B", "C", "D" and "F" public swimming pools (including the deck area) shall be enclosed by a minimum four foot fence as measured from the exterior of the pool area. No openings in the fence shall be large enough for a four (4) inch sphere to pass.
An above-ground (onground) pool in Spartanburg County may use its own wall as the required barrier if the wall is at least 48 inches above grade around the entire pool and any ladders or steps can be secured, locked, or removed to block access.
2024 ISPSC 305.5
Where only the pool wall serves as the barrier, the bottom of the wall is on grade, the top of the wall is not less than 48 inches (1219 mm) above grade for the entire perimeter of the pool, the wall complies with the requirements of Section 305.2 and the pool manufacturer allows the wall to serve as a barrier.
In Spartanburg County a spa or hot tub does not need a full pool barrier if it has a lockable safety cover that complies with ASTM F1346. Without a compliant cover, the 48-inch barrier rules that apply to pools also apply to the spa.
2024 ISPSC 305.1
Where spas or hot tubs are equipped with a lockable safety cover complying with ASTM F1346 and swimming pools are equipped with a powered safety cover that complies with ASTM F1346, the areas where those spas, hot tubs or pools are located shall not be required to comply with Sections 305.2 through 305.7.
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