5 rules for unincorporated St. Joseph County, Indiana.
Verified from official government sources
A residential pool in St. Joseph County is an accessory structure that needs an Improvement Location Permit under Zoning Ordinance Section 154.596 before it is placed, plus a building and electrical permit from the county Building Department.
St. Joseph County, Ind., Zoning Ordinance § 154.596(A) (Improvement Location Permits)
No building, structure, improvement, sign or use of land may be altered, changed, enlarged, placed, erected or located, unless the building, structure, improvement, sign or use and its location conform to the provisions of this chapter and an improvement location permit for the alteration, change, placement, erection or location of such building, structure, improvement, sign or use has been iss...
Every outdoor residential pool in St. Joseph County must sit behind a barrier at least 48 inches high under the 2020 Indiana Residential Code, Appendix G, Section AG105.2. Openings in that barrier cannot pass a 4-inch sphere.
2020 Indiana Residential Code (675 IAC 14-4.4), Appendix G § AG105.2
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.
Under the 2020 Indiana Residential Code, Section AG105.2, a pedestrian gate in a St. Joseph County pool barrier must open outward, be self-closing, and carry a self-latching device. Public and semi-public pools fall under 410 IAC 6-2.1.
2020 Indiana Residential Code (675 IAC 14-4.4), Appendix G § AG105.2
Pedestrian access gates shall open outward away from the pool and shall be self-closing and have a self-latching device. Gates other than pedestrian access gates shall have a self-latching device.
An above-ground pool in St. Joseph County is regulated like any pool: it needs an Improvement Location Permit and must meet the 48-inch barrier of Indiana Residential Code Section AG105.2. The pool wall can serve as the barrier where it is high enough.
2020 Indiana Residential Code (675 IAC 14-4.4), Appendix G § AG105.2
Where the top of the pool structure is above grade, such as an above-ground pool, the barrier may be at ground level, such as the pool structure, or mounted on top of the pool structure.
A hot tub or spa in St. Joseph County is regulated like a pool, but Indiana Residential Code Section AG105.5 exempts a spa fitted with a listed ASTM F1346 safety cover from the 48-inch barrier requirement.
2020 Indiana Residential Code (675 IAC 14-4.4), Appendix G § AG105.5
Spas or hot tubs with a safety cover which complies with ASTM F 1346, as listed in Section AG107, shall be exempt from the provisions of this appendix.
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