Residential pool, spa, and hot tub barriers in Bellingham follow the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) Section 305 as adopted under BMC Chapter 17.10 and the Washington State Building Code (WAC 51-50), effective March 15, 2024. The barrier must be not less than 48 inches above grade on the side facing away from the pool, openings must not allow a 4-inch-diameter sphere to pass, the maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier is 2 inches (4 inches over a solid surface), and pedestrian access gates must open outward away from the pool, be self-closing, and have a self-latching device. The perimeter pool fence must also satisfy the BMC 20.30.110 yard height limits and the BMC 20.12.060 vision clearance triangle.
ISPSC 2021 Section 305 (Barrier Requirements), as adopted under BMC Chapter 17.10 and Chapter 51-50 WAC, governs Bellingham residential pool barriers. Section 305.2.1 (Barrier height and clearances) provides: 'The top of the barrier shall be not less than 48 inches (1219 mm) above grade where measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the pool or spa,' and requires 'such height shall exist around the entire perimeter of the barrier and for a distance of 3 feet (914 mm) measured horizontally from the outside of the required barrier.' Section 305.2.2 (Openings): 'Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a 4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere.' The maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier is 2 inches measured on the side facing away from the pool (4 inches where the bottom of the barrier rests on a solid surface). Section 305.3.1 (Pedestrian access doors and gates): 'Pedestrian access doors and gates shall open outward away from the pool or spa, shall be self-closing and shall have a self-latching device.' Where the release mechanism of the self-latching device is located less than 54 inches from the bottom of the gate, the release mechanism shall be located on the pool side, at least 3 inches below the top of the gate, with no opening greater than 1/2 inch within 18 inches of the release mechanism. Under RCW 19.27 (State Building Code Act), Bellingham cannot adopt amendments that weaken these statewide pool-barrier standards.
A pool barrier under 48 inches above grade violates ISPSC 305.2.1. Barrier openings that allow a 4-inch sphere to pass violate ISPSC 305.2.2. Pedestrian access gates that swing inward toward the pool yard, are not self-closing, or lack a self-latching device violate ISPSC 305.3.1. A gap exceeding 2 inches between grade and the bottom of the barrier (4 inches on a solid surface) is non-compliant. Failed barrier inspection by the Bellingham Permit Center blocks the final pool inspection and the pool may not be placed in service.
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