Littleton, CO Swimming Pools & Spas: Above-Ground Pools (2026)

Littleton regulates above-ground pools through its Unified Land Use Code (ULUC) accessory-use provisions and its building/fence permit program. In all residential districts, swimming and wading pools with a depth of 24 inches or greater must be fully enclosed; this enclosure requirement applies to above-ground pools just as it does to in-ground pools. All fences in Littleton require a building permit, and pool barrier fencing is reviewed against the residential code adopted by the City (Colorado has adopted the IRC, which calls for at least a 48-inch barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates and specific opening/spacing limits; operators should confirm the exact figures currently adopted by Littleton). The City's published guidance also emphasizes that fencing must be complete before the pool is filled with water. Above-ground pools that rely on the pool wall as part of the barrier must still meet the residential code's barrier height and access controls (for example, secured or removable ladders to prevent unauthorized access by children). Electrical service for filters, pumps, and lighting must be installed under a separate electrical permit and inspected. Drain and discharge connections must comply with City stormwater rules: pool water generally cannot be discharged directly into the storm sewer without dechlorination. CDPHE's 5 CCR 1003-5 governs public swimming pools and does not apply to private residential above-ground pools, but its standards are sometimes referenced for HOA or shared-amenity pools. Arapahoe County's residential code generally aligns with Littleton's where the City has not adopted a different standard.