Swimming Pools & Spas in Thurston County, WA (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Thurston County, Washington.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Thurston County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Pool Permits

Thurston County waives the building permit for a prefabricated swimming pool only when it is accessory to a house, holds under twenty-four inches of water, caps out below five thousand gallons, and sits entirely above ground, per Code § 14.17.030 ([A]105.2, item 9). Miss any one of those limits and the pool falls under the county's regular building-permit process.

Thurston County Swimming Pool Permit Exemption

Some Restrictions

Thurston County Code § 14.17.030 ([A]105.2, Item 9)

[A] 105.2 Work exempt from permit. ... Permits shall not be required for the following: Building: ... 9. Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy that are less than twenty-four inches (610 mm) deep, do not exceed five thousand gallons (18,925 l) and are installed entirely above ground.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Fencing & Safety Requirements

Thurston County requires every private swimming pool to sit outside a required yard and be enclosed by a fence or other barrier at least 42 inches tall with a self-latching gate, per Code Section 20.07.040(5). The barrier can't allow a four-inch sphere to pass through it. Above-ground pools skip the separate fence only if their own wall reaches 42 inches and the access ladder is removed or otherwise made inaccessible.

Thurston County Pool Fence and Gate Rule

Some Restrictions

Thurston County Code § 20.07.040(5)

A private swimming pool shall not be constructed in any required yard. Private swimming pools shall be enclosed by a fence or other barrier at least forty-two inches in height, with a self-latching gate. Above ground pools with a vertical barrier of at least forty-two inches that are made inaccessible by removal of the ladder or similar measure are allowed without a fence or other barrier. The ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Thurston County ordinances

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