Anne Arundel County enforces the 2018 IRC Appendix G pool barrier standards as adopted by Maryland — 48-inch barrier, self-closing/self-latching gate with latch ≥54 inches, and less-than-4-inch openings. Barrier inspection is required before the pool is filled.
Residential pool, spa, and hot-tub barriers in Anne Arundel County must comply with the Maryland Building Performance Standards / 2018 IRC Appendix G (as amended). Minimum barrier height is 48 inches from finished grade on the pool side with no more than 2 inches of ground clearance. Openings in the barrier may not allow passage of a 4-inch sphere; mesh fabric must be 1¼ inch or smaller openings. Chain-link mesh openings must not exceed 1¾ inches (and typically require slats). Gates must open outward from the pool, be self-closing and self-latching, with a latch at least 54 inches above the bottom of the gate if the release is on the pool side. A house wall may form part of the barrier if all doors leading to the pool have an alarm (ANSI/UL 2017 or equivalent) or the pool has an ASTM F1346-compliant safety cover. Above-ground pools with walls ≥48 inches and a removable or lockable ladder satisfy the barrier rule. Inspections & Permits conducts a barrier inspection before final; Critical Area properties may need additional buffer planting post-construction.
Noncompliant barrier: pool cannot be filled or used until corrected. Civil penalty up to $1,000 plus $500/day continuing. Drowning-incident liability exposure significantly increased. Unpermitted pool: stop-work and retroactive permit at double fee.
Anne Arundel County, MD
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