In unincorporated Spokane County an above-ground pool holding water deeper than 24 inches is treated like any pool: it needs a building permit and a compliant safety barrier under state-adopted IRC Appendix G. The pool wall can serve as the barrier if it meets the height and access rules.
Washington's adopted IRC Appendix G defines a "swimming pool" as any structure intended for swimming or recreational bathing that contains water over 24 inches deep, which includes most above-ground pools. Such a pool requires a Spokane County building permit and must be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high. Where the pool wall itself is at least 48 inches high it may act as the barrier, but any attached ladder or steps must be removable, capable of being locked, or protected by a barrier so a child cannot climb up when the pool is unattended.
An above-ground pool without a compliant barrier (or an unsecured ladder) fails inspection and cannot be legally used until corrected.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Spokane County's above-ground pools rules stack up against other locations.
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