Knox County regulates hot tubs and spas under the same 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code as pools. A permit is required, and the barrier, gate, and pool-water-alarm safety rules apply. Spas with a listed, locking safety cover may qualify for a barrier exemption under the ISPSC.
The 2018 IRC (Chapter 42) and 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (Chapter 3) that Knox County adopts define a spa/hot tub as a type of pool, so the county's permit, barrier, gate-hardware, and alarm requirements generally extend to them. A pool water alarm is required per T.C.A. 68-12-801. Under the ISPSC, a spa or hot tub equipped with a listed safety cover complying with ASTM F1346 is exempt from the perimeter-barrier requirement — verify with Codes Administration at 865-215-2325 before relying on the cover alone. As an accessory structure, a spa also follows Zoning Ordinance 4.103 yard placement.
Installing a spa without a permit, or without a compliant barrier or listed safety cover, fails inspection and can require correction before use.
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