Walla Walla County, WA Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)

Walla Walla County Code § 15.04.040 adopts, in addition to the International Building Code, the International Residential Code current edition as amended by the state of Washington, expressly including Appendix G, Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs. That appendix, not a separately written county ordinance, is what sets the barrier, gate and alarm standards a pool, spa or hot tub in the unincorporated area must meet; the county has not restated those specifications in its own code text, so the current state-amended IRC Appendix G edition controls.

Because a pool is a structure under the building code, building one still runs through the same permit process as any other project: an application and plan-review fee are due at submittal under § 15.04.036, and anyone who starts excavating or building before the permit issues owes a doubled investigation fee under § 15.04.031. The community development building official enforces compliance with the same authority used chapter-wide, including the right of entry to inspect under § 15.04.250 and the power to issue a stop-work order under § 15.04.260 if barrier work is not completed to code before the pool is filled or used.

Failing to complete required corrective action is a misdemeanor under § 15.04.034, citing RCW 36.43.040, and can also draw the Chapter 14.13 civil penalty track.