Fargo, ND Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)
Swimming pool permit rules in Fargo, ND, also covering above-ground pools, in-ground pools, and spa installations, set fencing, barrier, alarm, and inspection requirements.
Key Facts
- Permit threshold
- Pools 24 inches or deeper
- Exempt
- Pools under 24 inches deep
- Enforcing agency
- Fargo Inspections Department
- Governing code
- Amended IRC § R105.2
- Barrier trigger
- 48-inch fence once permitted
Summary
Fargo's amended Residential Code exempts swimming pools under 24 inches deep from a building permit: anything deeper needs Inspections Department review and an issued permit before installation.
R105.2 Work exempt from permit. * * * *
Building:
1.Other than storm shelters, one-story detached accessory structures, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet.2.Fences not over 8.5 feet high.
* * * *
7.Swimming pools that are less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep.
* * * *
10.Decks not exceeding 120 square feet in area, that are not more than 7 inches above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve the exit door required by Section R318.4.
Section R108.3 is hereby amended to read as follows:
R108.3 Building permit valuations. Building permit valuation shall include total value of the work for which a permit is being issued, such as electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing equipment and other permanent systems, including materials and labor. If, in the opinion of the building official, the valuation is underestimated on the application, the permit shall be denied, unless the applicant can show detailed estimates to meet the approval of the building official. Final building permit valuation shall be set by the building official.
Section R201.3 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Full Breakdown
The city amended Section R105.2 of the International Residential Code to spell out which residential projects skip the permit process. Swimming pools less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep are exempt: everything deeper, including most above-ground and all in-ground pools, requires a building permit from the Fargo Inspections Department before construction begins. Once a pool crosses that depth threshold, it also triggers the city's pool-barrier rules under the amended Property Maintenance Code, which call for a 48-inch fence or approved barrier around the water. Homeowners installing a standard backyard pool should plan on pulling a permit and passing inspection, not just digging and filling.
Violations & Fines
Installing or maintaining a pool 24 inches or deeper without a permit is a code violation the Inspections Department can cite, requiring after-the-fact permitting, possible stop-work orders, and standard municipal penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for an above-ground pool in Fargo?
What triggers pool fencing requirements in Fargo?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fargo
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