Under the residential code Birmingham adopts, an above-ground pool whose wall serves as the safety barrier must have a ladder or steps that can be secured, locked, or removed to prevent access, or be surrounded by a fully compliant pool fence. As with in-ground pools, no building permit is needed to install an above-ground pool, but a site plan, Zoning approval, and electrical permits/inspections are required.
Birmingham adopts the International Residential Code (IRC), 2021 Edition for one- and two-family dwellings. IRC Appendix G, Section AG105.2 item 10, addresses above-ground and on-ground pools: where an above-ground pool structure is used as the barrier, or where the barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure, and the means of access is a ladder or steps, the ladder or steps must either be capable of being secured, locked, or removed to prevent access, or be surrounded by a barrier meeting the requirements of Section AG105.2 items 1 through 9 (the same 48-inch, 4-inch-sphere, self-latching standards that apply to in-ground pools). The Birmingham 2024 Technical Code, Section 103.1.1 item 13, exempts swimming pools (which includes above-ground pools) from the building-permit requirement, but still requires a site plan, Zoning approval, and electrical permits with inspections before installation.
An above-ground pool whose access ladder cannot be secured, locked, or removed and which is not otherwise surrounded by a compliant barrier violates the adopted IRC Appendix G and may be cited by the Birmingham Department of Planning, Engineering and Permits. Installing the pool's electrical equipment without the required permit and inspection also violates the Technical Code.
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