Every residential pool in Kanawha County must be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high under the West Virginia State Building Code. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching, and a 48-inch above-ground pool wall can serve as the barrier.
The West Virginia State Building Code, based on the International Residential Code and enforced in unincorporated Kanawha County through the building permit, requires a barrier around every residential pool and spa. The barrier must stand at least 48 inches above grade, pass no opening a 4-inch sphere fits through, and offer no footholds. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching, opening away from the pool, with the release at least 54 inches high. On steep Kanawha hillsides, height is measured from the higher grade side. A 48-inch above-ground pool wall with a removable or lockable ladder can satisfy the requirement.
A pool without a compliant 48-inch barrier fails inspection and cannot pass final approval. An existing non-compliant barrier draws a correction order and carries serious drowning-liability exposure.
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