In Durham, an above-ground pool's own wall may serve as the required barrier if it is at least 48 inches high and any ladder or steps can be secured, locked, or removed to prevent access when the pool is unattended.
The NC Residential Code lets the wall of an on-ground (above-ground) pool act as the barrier, but only when the wall meets the 48-inch height and the means of access is controlled. Ladders or steps used to reach the pool must be capable of being secured, locked, or removed to prevent access, and any opening created by securing or removing them must not allow a 4-inch-diameter sphere to pass. If the ladder is not secured, a separate compliant barrier is required around the pool or the ladder. Above-ground pools deeper than 24 inches still require a building permit.
An unsecured access ladder leaves the pool non-compliant, so no Certificate of Compliance issues and use of the pool is unauthorized.
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See how Durham County's above-ground pools rules stack up against other locations.
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