5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in York County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
York County Planning & Development Services issues the residential swimming pool permit for unincorporated pools. Every in-ground or above-ground pool needs the permit, a site plan showing setbacks, and a South Carolina licensed electrical contractor for the wiring.
York County, S.C., Residential Swimming Pool Permit Application (2025)
POOL PERMITS REQUIRE A SC LICENSED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR TO PERFORM ELECTRICAL WORK. POOL HEATER INSTALLATION REQUIRES AN APPROPRIATE SC LICENSED CONTRACTOR.
A residential pool in York County must sit behind a barrier at least 48 inches high, under the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code South Carolina enforces. Openings in the barrier cannot pass a 4-inch sphere.
2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code § 305.2.1 (S.C. Building Codes Council Pool Barrier Requirements)
The top of the barrier shall be at least 48 inches above grade [ISPSC 305.2.1]. ... Openings in the barrier shall not allow the passage of a 4-inch sphere. [ISPSC 305.2.2].
Every pedestrian gate in a York County pool barrier must open outward, be self-closing, and self-latching under the 2021 ISPSC Section 305.3. Where a house wall forms the barrier, a door alarm or a listed safety cover is required.
2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code § 305.3
Pedestrian access doors and gates shall open outward away from the pool or spa, shall be self-closing and shall have a self-latching device [ISPSC 305.3].
An above-ground pool in York County needs the same Residential Swimming Pool Permit and 48-inch barrier as an in-ground pool. The pool wall can serve as the barrier only where it meets the height and mounted-barrier clearance rules.
2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code § 305.2.1(4)
Where the top of the pool or spa structure is above grade, the barrier shall be installed on grade or shall be mounted on top of the pool or spa structure. Where the barrier is mounted on the top of the pool or spa, the vertical clearance between the top of the pool or spa and the bottom of the barrier shall not exceed 4 inches (102 mm) [305.2.1(4)].
A hot tub or spa in York County is regulated like a pool under the 2021 ISPSC, needing the county permit and a barrier. A safety cover listed and labeled to ASTM F1346 can stand in place of a fence.
2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code § 305.4
A safety cover that is listed and labeled in accordance with ASTM F1346 is installed for the pools and spas.
1 cities in York County have their own swimming pools & spas rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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