Issaquah, WA Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)

All three limits in item 13 have to be met together: the pool must be prefabricated, accessory to a one- and two-family dwelling or a Group R-3 occupancy, less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep, no more than 5,000 gallons (18,925 L), and installed entirely above ground. A pool outside those limits does not get the exemption and is governed by the general rule in section 105.1, which requires anyone who intends to construct a building or structure to apply to the Building Official and obtain the permit first.

Section 105.2 adds two overriding conditions. Exemptions never authorize work done in violation of the construction codes or any other law or ordinance of the City, and they do not apply in areas of flood hazard or City land use critical areas as defined in the IMC Land Use Code, unless the work is entirely within or on the exterior envelope of a legally established existing building. Areas prone to flooding must give application information under Chapter 16.36 IMC (section 105.3.2).

The technical standard is separate. IMC 16.04.110 adopts the 2021 Edition of the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, as adopted by the State Building Code Council in Chapter 51-50 WAC through International Building Code Section 3109 and WAC 51-50-3109, and through International Residential Code Section R327 and WAC 51-51-0327, excluding Chapter 1, Scope and Administration. Administration comes from the Construction Administrative Code.

An application under section 105.3 must describe the work, give the land by legal description or street address, state the valuation and be signed. Where a contractor registered under RCW 18.27 does the work, section 105.3.1 requires the contractor's registration number and Issaquah business license number before the permit issues. A permit expires 2 years from issuance under section 105.5, and inspections follow section 110.