Swimming pool permit rules in Baltimore County, MD — also covering above-ground pools, in-ground pools, and spa installations — set fencing, barrier, alarm, and inspection requirements.
Baltimore County requires a building permit for all in-ground pools (which also need a code-compliant fence), and for above-ground pools over 250 square feet with a water depth of 24 inches or more. Permits are issued by the Department of Permits, Approvals & Inspections (PAI).
Per the Baltimore County PAI Swimming Pools Building Permit page, a permit is required for the following pool types: all in-ground pools (which require a fence built to code); above-ground pools over 250 square feet with a water depth of 24 inches or more; and all commercial outdoor pools (which also need a fence at least six feet high). Any pool in a Chesapeake Bay Critical Area (CBCA), floodplain, or on a historical property needs a permit regardless of size. Pool construction is governed by the county building code adopted under Council Bill 49-24 (effective September 3, 2024), which adopts the 2021 editions of the International Residential Code and the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code. Residential applicants must submit
Building without a required permit is a code violation subject to stop-work orders and enforcement by PAI Code Enforcement. All construction must match the approved permit and plans, which must be available on-site for inspection before the pool is used.
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