North Dakota adopts the International Residential Code statewide, which mandates four-foot minimum barriers around residential swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs with self-closing, self-latching gates to prevent child drownings.
Under NDCC 54-21.3, the State Building Code Advisory Committee adopts the International Residential Code (IRC) and International Building Code (IBC) as the state minimum standard. Appendix G of the IRC requires permanent barriers at least 48 inches high surrounding pools deeper than 24 inches, with no openings allowing passage of a four-inch sphere. Gates must open outward, away from the pool, and be self-closing and self-latching with the latch at least 54 inches above grade. Power safety covers meeting ASTM F1346 may serve as compliance for hot tubs. Cities may adopt stricter local amendments but cannot weaken these baseline child-safety standards.
Building permits denied or revoked; stop-work orders; daily fines under local enforcement; civil liability for drownings; cannot obtain certificate of occupancy until barriers comply.
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