Above-ground pools in unincorporated Polk County need the same building and electrical permits and setbacks as inground pools. The pool wall itself can count as part of the required barrier, but any stairs or ladder must be lockable, removable, or gated to block access.
The county handout: "The pool wall for an above ground pool can be considered as part of the barrier." Access controls: "If the pool is accessed via stair/steps/ladder they must either be capable of being secured, locked or removed to prevent access to the pool." If removed, a compliant barrier must cover the opening. Setbacks apply: a pool 720 square feet or less must be at least 5 feet from rear and side property lines; larger pools at least 10 feet. The pool must sit on the same lot as the house and at least 10 feet from the house unless adjacent to a deck.
Unpermitted above-ground pools or unsecured ladders are code-enforcement violations subject to stop-work and correction orders from Planning & Development.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in this county.
See how West Des Moines's above-ground pools rules stack up against other locations.
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