Swimming pool permit rules in Spokane County, WA — also covering above-ground pools, in-ground pools, and spa installations — set fencing, barrier, alarm, and inspection requirements.
Backyard residential pools need a Spokane County building permit; the barrier is inspected. Public and shared (WRF) pools additionally require a Washington DOH construction permit before building and an operating permit before use.
A private residential in-ground or above-ground pool holding water deeper than 24 inches is a structure requiring a Spokane County building permit through the Division of Building and Planning, and must meet the state-adopted IRC Appendix G barrier standards. Any pool serving the public or more than a single household is a "water recreation facility" (WRF) regulated by the Washington Department of Health / Spokane Regional Health District: WAC 246-260-021 requires a construction permit before building, and WAC 246-260-101 requires a current operating permit before anyone may use it. DOH or the local health officer must approve or deny a complete construction application within 30 days.
Building or operating a public/WRF pool without the required permit is a health-code violation subject to closure and enforcement by the local health officer; residential pools lacking a permitted barrier fail inspection.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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