Above-ground pools in unincorporated Pierce County follow the same rules as in-ground pools: prefabricated pools less than 24 inches deep are exempt, but any above-ground pool holding water over 24 inches deep needs a permit and a compliant 48-inch barrier under 2021 IRC Appendix G.
Pierce County PPW applies 2021 IRC Appendix G equally to in-ground, above-ground, and on-ground pools. Per county guidance, a prefabricated pool less than 24 inches deep does not require a pool permit, but an above-ground pool that contains water more than 24 inches deep must be permitted and surrounded by a barrier at least 48 inches high. Where the pool wall itself forms the barrier, IRC Appendix G still requires that any access ladder or steps be removable, lockable, or separately fenced so the pool wall alone does not give a child access. Electrical bonding for the pool and pump also falls under the adopted code.
Installing a deeper above-ground pool without a permit lets PPW issue a stop-work order and charge an investigative fee. A pool used without an approved barrier or ladder-access control fails IRC Appendix G and can be cited until corrected.
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