5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Yakima County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Yakima County requires a building permit for any pool, spa, or hot tub holding water more than 24 inches deep, under the Washington State Building Code (WAC 51-51, adopting the 2018 IRC) enforced by the county Building and Fire Safety Division.
IRC 2018, Appendix V (WAC 51-51) — Swimming Pool definition
Any structure intended for swimming or recreational bathing that contains water over 24 inches (610 mm) deep.
A residential pool, spa, or hot tub in unincorporated Yakima County must be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high, with no opening a 4-inch sphere can pass and gates that self-close and self-latch, per IRC Appendix V adopted under WAC 51-51.
IRC 2018 Appendix V, Section AGV105.2 (WAC 51-51)
The top of the barrier shall be at least 48 inches above grade measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool.
Beyond the 48-inch barrier, unincorporated Yakima County enforces IRC Appendix V safety provisions for doors in a dwelling wall serving as the barrier, while public and semi-public pools follow WAC 246-260 under the Yakima Health District, including anti-entrapment drain covers.
An above-ground pool holding water over 24 inches deep needs a county building permit in unincorporated Yakima County and must meet the same IRC Appendix V barrier rules, though a pool wall 48 inches high can itself serve as the barrier.
A hot tub or spa holding water over 24 inches deep needs a county building permit, but IRC Appendix V exempts a spa fitted with an ASTM F1346 safety cover from the 48-inch barrier requirement.
IRC 2018 Appendix V, Section AGV105.5 (WAC 51-51)
A spa or hot tub with a safety cover that complies with ASTM F1346 shall be exempt from the provisions of this appendix.
1 cities in Yakima County have their own swimming pools & spas rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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