Derwood Swimming Pools & Spas: Above-Ground Pools Rules (2026)

Montgomery County DPS treats above-ground pools differently depending on whether they include permanent attachments. A freestanding above-ground pool with no attached deck, no permanent plumbing connection, and no hardwired electrical system may be exempt from a building permit. However, all barrier requirements under IRC Appendix G still apply: any pool with water depth greater than 24 inches must be enclosed by a 48-inch-high barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates. Above-ground pool walls that are at least 48 inches high on all sides (measured from exterior grade) may satisfy the barrier requirement if combined with a lockable, removable ladder or steps. If a deck is attached to the pool, a building permit is required and the deck must also meet structural and fall-protection requirements. An electrical permit is required for any permanently installed pool pump, filter, heater, or lighting. Portable pumps plugged into existing GFCI-protected outlets may not require an electrical permit, but the outlet must be properly rated and grounded. Above-ground pools must maintain the same setbacks from property lines as in-ground pools. Inflatable pools less than 24 inches deep are generally unregulated.