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

Kennewick has adopted the International Residential Code's Appendix G, 'Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs,' as incorporated by WAC 51-51-003, to govern pool construction and safety citywide (KMC 15.44.010). Appendix G sets the barrier, alarm, and drain-cover standards that apply once a permit is required; the state amendment folds those standards directly into Kennewick's adopted code rather than creating a separate city standard. Before any public or semi-public pool permit can be issued, the applicant must first obtain written approval from the Benton-Franklin District Health Department under Section 107.4, added locally to the adopted code (KMC 15.44.050); that health-district sign-off is a prerequisite the Building Official checks before permit issuance.

On the residential side, the building code's permit-exemption list carves out a narrow category: a prefabricated pool accessory to a single-family (Group R, Division 3) home is exempt from a building permit only if its walls sit entirely above the adjacent grade and its capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons (KMC 15.08.060(1)(i)). Anything larger, in-ground, or with walls below grade needs a full building permit application through the Building Official, whom the City Manager designates or appoints (KMC 15.04.040), and the exemption does not excuse separate plumbing or electrical permits tied to pool equipment. Permit decisions may be appealed through the process set out in Chapter 4.04 of the Kennewick Municipal Code (KMC 15.04.060).