5 rules for unincorporated York County, Pennsylvania.
Verified from official government sources
York County itself issues no pool permits. Under Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code, your borough, city, or township building department requires a UCC construction permit for any pool holding water more than 24 inches deep.
Pennsylvania adopts the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) statewide. A pool barrier must be at least 48 inches high, measured on the side facing away from the pool. Your municipal building department enforces it.
PA ISPSC 2018 § 305.2.1
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.
Under Pennsylvania's adopted ISPSC, pool barrier openings must not pass a 4-inch sphere, and pedestrian gates must open outward, self-close, and self-latch. There is no county pool-safety office; municipal building officials enforce these.
PA ISPSC 2018 § 305.3
Access gates shall comply with the requirements of Sections 305.3.1 through 305.3.3 and shall be equipped to accommodate a locking device. Pedestrian access gates shall open outward away from the pool or spa, shall be self-closing and shall have a self-latching device.
Above-ground pools deeper than 24 inches need a UCC permit and a compliant barrier under Pennsylvania code. Small prefab pools less than 24 inches deep and under 5,000 gallons are exempt. The county sets no separate rule.
34 Pa. Code § 403.42 (UCC)
Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a R-3 occupancy which are less than 24 inches deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons and are installed entirely above ground are exempt from requiring a permit.
Spas and hot tubs are regulated statewide under Pennsylvania's ISPSC. A spa or hot tub with a lockable safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 is exempt from the surrounding-barrier requirements. Your municipality enforces this, not the county.
PA ISPSC 2018 § 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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