Cincinnati, OH Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)

CBC § 1117-73 requires that any structure designed or used as a swimming pool capable of holding 24 inches or more of water at any point must have an adequate enclosure around the pool area. The section then carves out its one exception for above-ground pools: pools with continuous walls 48 inches above adjacent grade need not be separately enclosed, provided all access points, ladders, decks, gates, are protected in a manner equivalent to the enclosure standard described in the same section. That underlying enclosure standard, which still governs every access point on an exempted above-ground pool, requires the barrier to extend not less than 48 inches above the ground at all points around the pool, self-closing and self-latching gates with latches at least 48 inches above the ground, construction that prohibits passage of a sphere larger than 4 inches in diameter through any opening or under the enclosure, and a design able to withstand a 200-pound horizontal concentrated load applied over one square foot at any point on the fence.

4 enclosure requirement for family (residential) pools deeper than 24 inches or larger than 150 square feet, which likewise demands a 48-inch enclosure with self-closing, self-latching gates and rails or closures that block passage of objects 4 inches or larger. Because both sections use the same 24-inch/150-square-foot triggers and 48-inch barrier heights, an above-ground pool that qualifies for the wall-height exception under § 1117-73 still must control every access point to the same standard as a fenced enclosure, the exception is narrow and does not eliminate the safety requirement, only the need for a separate perimeter fence.