Greenville County, SC Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)

South Carolina splits pool regulation between the state (for "public" pools) and local governments (for residential pools and zoning placement of all pools). In Greenville County both layers apply, and which one issues your permit depends entirely on whether your pool meets the "public swimming pool" definition in R.61-51.A.45.

Public pool track (state). R.61-51.A.45 defines a "Public Swimming Pool" as an artificial structure for recreational uses such as bathing, swimming, diving, wading, spraying, sliding, floating, rafting, etc., that is NOT "built in connection with a single family residence, or duplex … and the use of which is not confined to the family of the residence and their private guests." The regulation categorizes public pools into Type A (general public), Type B (hotels/motels/apartments/condos/country clubs/schools/swim clubs/campgrounds/subdivisions), Type C (wading/kiddie/spray), Type D (spas and hot tubs), Type E (water park pools/flumes/slides/lazy rivers), Type F (special-purpose — scuba lessons, helmet diving, etc.), and Type G (hybrid pools with multiple use zones). Section B governs Construction and Operating Permits: B.2 forbids any construction or alteration without a Department-issued Construction Permit; B.3 lists the application contents (owner/contractor info, SC LLR contractor license number, project cost, pool details); B.4 requires four sets of plans and specifications sealed by an architect or engineer registered in South Carolina, with location map, site plan, plan/profile views to a minimum 1/8" scale, equipment list with manufacturer model numbers, deck dimensions and depth markers, plumbing schematic, equipment room plan, water source, sewage disposition, and filter backwash disposition. B.6 requires the contractor or design professional to call DPH for a piping inspection BEFORE backfill; B.7 forbids opening the pool until DPH issues written Approval to Place into Operation, supported by three certification letters (from pool contractor, general contractor or owner, and architect/engineer) plus the engineer/architect's completed final inspection checklist. B.8 requires non-refundable fees under R.61-30. B.10 mandates that all construction and alterations be performed by a contractor holding the SC LLR license with the proper subclassification under the General and Mechanical Contracting Act (Title 40, Chapter 11, S.C. Code). B.11 sets the permit term at one year, extendable up to three additional one-year periods. After construction, S.C. Code §44-55-2310 et seq. requires an annual Operating Permit issued by DPH for each calendar year the pool is open.

Residential pool track (Greenville County). R.61-51.A.45 expressly excludes pools "built in connection with a single family residence, or duplex (two living units within a single structure) and the use of which is not confined to the family of the residence and their private guests," and R.61-51.A.49 defines a "Residential Swimming Pool" as a privately owned pool built in connection with a single-family residence and located within the same property boundary. Those residential pools are NOT permitted by DPH. Instead, they require a Greenville County BUILDING permit from the Building Safety Department (301 University Ridge, Greenville, SC 29601; 864-467-7060). Greenville County enforces the ICC family of codes — the International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Property Maintenance Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Fire Code, International Energy Conservation Code, and the National Electrical Code — plus, by SC state adoption, the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC). Permit submittals must include a site plan showing pool location and setbacks, electrical permits for pool wiring and bonding, gas permits if a gas heater is used, and details of the barrier/fence and self-closing/self-latching gates required by IRC Appendix V (or its successor) and ISPSC Section 305.

Zoning overlay (all pools on residential lots). Sec. 6:2(18)(B) of the Greenville County Zoning Ordinance regulates the location of swimming pools on single-family residential lots regardless of state-vs-county permitting track. Pools must be located in the rear yard; the Zoning Administrator may grant side-yard encroachment only if the rear yard contains an "unbuildable" area defined as having a topographic slope >11%, drainage/utility/access easements, right-of-way, septic systems, or being within property line setbacks. Pools cannot occupy more than 50% of the rear yard (measured by total exposed water surface area including hot tubs and wading pools). Minimum setback is 5 feet from side and rear property lines (corner lots: side setback along street right-of-way equals the district's front setback for dwellings). Any portion encroaching into a side yard must be screened from the street and from adjacent property of a different zoning district or use by a 6-foot opaque screen (wall, fence, berm, evergreen plantings, or combination). Lighting may not project skyward, onto neighboring property, or onto a public roadway, and flashing lights are prohibited.