Idaho Falls regulates outdoor hot tubs and spas mainly through electrical safety. The city's handout requires GFCI protection and follows NEC Article 680 for bonding, switch and receptacle clearances, and overhead-line distances. Spa structures and any barrier requirements are reviewed under the adopted 2018 IRC.
The City of Idaho Falls publishes an 'Outdoor Spas and Hot Tubs' handout that focuses on electrical safety based on the National Electrical Code. It states that outdoor spas and hot tubs shall comply with Parts A and B of Article 680 of the NEC and shall have GFCI protection. The handout sets clearances measured from the inside walls of the spa: switches must be at least 5 feet horizontally from the spa; at least one GFCI-protected receptacle must be provided no closer than 6 feet and no farther than 20 feet; all fixed metal parts within 5 feet of the spa must be bonded with a copper conductor not smaller than No. 8; the distance from maximum water level to overhead power lines must be at least 22 feet; and an accessible disconnect must be within sight and at least 5 feet horizontally from the spa. The structural side of a spa or hot tub installation falls under the city-adopted 2018 International Residential Code (Title 7, Chapter 6), administered by the Building Division. The zoning swimming-pool fence rule in Section 11-4-8(D) is written for 'swimming pools'; whether a particular spa or hot tub also triggers a barrier requirement is determined under the adopted building code, so owners should confirm barrier and cover requirements with the Building Division (208-612-8270).
Installing spa or hot tub wiring that lacks GFCI protection, proper bonding, or required clearances violates the adopted electrical code and will fail inspection. Skipping a required building or electrical permit can lead to stop-work orders and required corrections.
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