5 rules for unincorporated Yellowstone County, Montana.
Verified from official government sources
Public and semi-public pools and spas in Yellowstone County must be licensed and inspected by RiverStone Health before opening. Residential in-ground pools on unincorporated land need a building permit under the adopted code; inside Billings or Laurel, apply to that city instead.
Montana adopts the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC). Under it, a residential pool, hot tub, or spa must be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches tall for the entire perimeter, with gates that swing outward and self-close and self-latch.
ISPSC 2021 Section 305.2.1 & 305.3 (adopted MT ARM 37.115.106)
The top of the barrier shall be not less than 48 inches (1219 mm) above grade. ... Access gates shall open outward away from the pool or spa, shall be self-closing and shall have a self-latching device.
RiverStone Health inspectors verify that public pools in Yellowstone County correctly test disinfectant levels and have proper safety equipment and signs to prevent injury or drowning. Residential pools rely on the ISPSC barrier as the core safety control.
Under Montana's adopted ISPSC, an above-ground pool wall can serve as the required barrier only if it is at least 48 inches above grade around the whole pool and the ladder or steps can be secured, locked, or removed to prevent access.
ISPSC 2021 Section 305.5 (adopted MT ARM 37.115.106)
Where the top of the pool wall is not less than 48 inches (1219 mm) above grade for the entire perimeter of the pool ... the ladder or steps ... shall be capable of being secured, locked or removed to prevent access.
Under Montana's adopted ISPSC, a residential spa or hot tub is exempt from the pool barrier requirement if it is equipped with a lockable safety cover meeting ASTM F1346. Public spas are licensed and inspected by RiverStone Health.
ISPSC 2021 Section 305.1 (adopted MT ARM 37.115.106)
Spas or hot tubs with a lockable safety cover that complies with ASTM F 1346 shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.
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