Johnson County treats an above-ground pool over 24 inches deep as a permitted structure. The pool wall can serve as the barrier only if the ladder is removable or lockable. Small inflatable pools are exempt.
In unincorporated Johnson County and its cities, an above-ground pool deeper than 24 inches needs a building permit and must meet the zoning setbacks from property lines and structures. The pool's own wall, if at least 48 inches high, can act as the required barrier, but any ladder or steps must be removable, lockable, or gated so a child cannot climb in. Electrical connections need GFCI protection and their own permit. Water drained from the pool must not run onto a neighbor's lot. Temporary inflatable or splash pools under 24 inches deep generally fall outside the permit rules, though basic barrier sense still applies.
An above-ground pool set up without the required permit draws a correction order and retroactive permitting with penalty fees. An open, climbable ladder is a barrier violation.
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