Westchester County, NY Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)
Swimming pool permit rules in Westchester County, NY, also covering above-ground pools, in-ground pools, and spa installations, set fencing, barrier, alarm, and inspection requirements.
Key Facts
- Depth threshold
- Over 2 feet
- Who must comply
- Retailers, not buyers
- Sign source
- Provided by Weights & Measures
- Permit required
- No county permit
- First violation
- Notice of violation
Summary
Westchester County doesn't permit above-ground pools, but retailers selling any portable or inflatable pool deeper than two feet must post a county drowning-hazard warning at the point of sale.
"Portable/Inflatable pool" means any body of water or receptacle for water, including but not limited to, inflatable pools and soft-sided pools, having a depth at any point greater than two feet, used or intended to be used for swimming, wading or recreational bathing.2."Point of display" means the counter, shelf or any location at which portable/inflatable pools are displayed for sale.3."Retail establishment" shall mean all sales outlets, stores, shops or other places of business located within the County of Westchester which operate to sell household products directly to the ultimate consumer. (Added by L.L. No. 4-2007, § 1)
Sec. 863.1403. - Duty to post. 1.A retail establishment that sells portable/inflatable pools shall cause an advisory to be posted or displayed on the premises as provided in this article. The advisory shall read as follows: PORTABLE POOL/INFLATABLE POOL SAFETY WARNING: AN AVERAGE OF 280 CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 5 DROWN EACH YEAR IN SWIMMING POOLS, AND THERE ARE AN INCREASING NUMBER OF DEATHS IN INEXPENSIVE, PORTABLE/INFLATABLE POOLS. THE SIDES OF A PORTABLE/INFLATABLE POOL CAN BE FLEXIBLE AND SOMETIMES SLANTED OR LOW, SO IT MAY BE EASIER FOR A CHILD TO CLIMB INSIDE. PARENTS NEED TO BE AWARE THAT ANY POOL POSES A RISK TO YOUNG CHILDREN.
NEVER LEAVE A CHILD UNSUPERVISED OR OUT OF SIGHT IN OR NEAR A POOL — NOT EVEN FOR A SECOND. THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR CONSTANT PARENTAL SUPERVISION.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 47).
Full Breakdown
The county's Consumer Protection Code defines a "portable/inflatable pool" as any pool, including soft-sided models, holding water more than two feet deep. Retailers selling such pools in Westchester County must display a county-designed bilingual warning sign about child drowning risks at the point of display, protected from tampering or removal. There is no county permit, setback or fencing rule for above-ground pools themselves: those are set by each city, town or village.
Violations & Fines
A retailer that fails to post or conceals the required warning sign faces a notice of violation on the first offense, then civil penalties of $150 for a second violation and $250 for each one after that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Westchester County require a permit for an above-ground pool?
What pools trigger the Westchester County warning sign rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Westchester County
New York rules heatmap·Compare Westchester County to another location·View the New York swimming pools & spas overview
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