Above-ground pools in unincorporated Douglas County still require a permit and a compliant barrier. Under the adopted pool code, a pool wall at least 48 inches above grade can serve as the barrier, but any ladder or steps must be removable, lockable, or separately fenced.
The Douglas County Building Division permits above-ground pools deeper than 24 inches under the adopted 2021 IRC and International Swimming Pool and Spa Code. Section 305 lets an on-ground pool's own wall count as the required barrier where the wall is at least 48 inches above the surrounding grade. When access is by a removable or fold-up ladder, the ladder or steps must be capable of being secured, locked, or removed to prevent access; otherwise the ladder must be surrounded by a code-compliant barrier with a self-latching gate. Electrical bonding and GFCI protection still require an electrical permit.
An above-ground pool installed without a permit, or with an unsecured ladder giving open access, violates the adopted building code and is subject to county code enforcement.
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See how Douglas County's above-ground pools rules stack up against other locations.
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