A permanent above-ground pool in Prince George's County needs a DPIE building permit and must meet the same 48-inch IRC barrier standard as an in-ground pool. Where the pool wall is 48 inches high it can serve as the barrier if the ladder is removable or securable when unattended.
The County treats a permanent above-ground pool as a structure, so DPIE requires a building permit and an electrical permit for the pump and lighting under County Code Subtitle 4. IRC Section AG105.2 lets the pool wall serve as the required barrier where it is at least 48 inches high, but the ladder or steps must then be removable or securable so a child cannot climb in when unattended; a fixed ladder must be surrounded by a compliant barrier. Small temporary or inflatable pools generally need no building permit, but the barrier standard applies once water is deep enough to pose a drowning risk. As a structure, the pool must also meet zoning setbacks under Subtitle 27.
Installing a permanent above-ground pool without a DPIE permit allows a stop-work order and after-the-fact fees under Subtitle 4. Leaving a fixed ladder in place when unattended fails inspection, and placing the pool inside a required setback violates zoning.
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