Swimming Pools & Spas in Arkansas (2026)
11 rules on the books across Arkansas, 6 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Pool Permits
Building and electrical permits required before installing a pool, including the depth and size thresholds that trigger them, and where above-ground and inflatable pools fall in or out of the rules.
Fayetteville
Some RestrictionsFayetteville requires a building permit for in-ground and permanent pool installation. The city adopts the 2021…
Read full rule →Fort Smith
Some RestrictionsFort Smith exempts swimming pool excavation from the separate grading permit, but only when the pool is authorized by a…
Read full rule →Jonesboro
Some RestrictionsJonesboro requires a building permit before any structure, including a residential swimming pool, is built. The…
Read full rule →Little Rock
Some RestrictionsLittle Rock treats above-ground and below-grade pools as accessory structures, so they must sit inside the same 60-foot…
Read full rule →Springdale
Some RestrictionsSpringdale's Property Maintenance Code requires any private pool, above-ground or in-ground, holding more than 24…
Read full rule →Washington County
Few RestrictionsUnincorporated Washington County enforces no building code, so a residential pool needs no county building permit or…
Read full rule →Fencing & Safety Requirements
Mandatory barriers around pools, spas, and hot tubs, minimum heights, self-latching gate specs, and the alarm, cover, and anti-entrapment rules that ride along with them.
Arkansas: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsEvery public swimming pool in Arkansas must hold a written operating permit from the State Health Officer. The…
Read full rule →Jonesboro
Some RestrictionsEvery outdoor pool in Jonesboro must be fully enclosed by a non-climbable barrier at least four feet high, with gaps no…
Read full rule →Little Rock
Some RestrictionsLittle Rock adopts the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code by reference, setting the barrier, drain-cover…
Read full rule →Washington County
Some RestrictionsUnincorporated Washington County enforces no residential building code, so it mandates no pool barrier. But…
Read full rule →Springdale
Light RestrictionsSpringdale requires every swimming pool in the city to be kept clean, sanitary and in good repair under the…
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