Hawaii Pool Barrier Standards Under State Building Code

Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 107 and the State Building Code Council adopt the International Building Code and International Residential Code as the statewide minimum, including IRC Appendix G pool barrier requirements. Residential swimming pools must be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches in height, with openings no greater than 4 inches, and self-closing, self-latching gates that open outward away from the pool. Counties enforce through building permits and may add stricter rules but cannot drop below the state minimum. Public and semi-public pools are also regulated by Department of Health under HAR 11-10.

Counties can issue stop-work orders, deny certificates of occupancy, and impose daily fines up to $1,000 for noncompliant pool barriers. Owners may face civil liability for drowning incidents involving inadequate barriers.