Unincorporated Kanawha County requires a building permit to place an above-ground pool, the same rule that covers any structure new or used. The West Virginia State Building Code's 48-inch barrier applies, though the pool wall itself can qualify.
An above-ground pool is a structure under Kanawha County's permit guidelines, so placing one in the unincorporated area requires a county building permit even for a used or portable model over a couple of feet deep. The adopted West Virginia State Building Code sets the barrier rule: a wall at least 48 inches high satisfies it when the ladder or steps are removable, lockable, or enclosed while unattended. The pump needs electrical bonding and GFCI protection. Drainage and backwash cannot discharge onto neighboring property, a real concern on Kanawha's steep hillside lots.
Placing a permit-required above-ground pool without a county permit doubles the fee for a first or second offense and triples it after. An unsecured ladder that leaves the pool accessible fails the barrier rule.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Kanawha County, WV
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See how Kanawha County's above-ground pools rules stack up against other locations.
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