Spokane Valley, WA Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)
Swimming pool permit rules in Spokane Valley, WA, also covering above-ground pools, in-ground pools, and spa installations, set fencing, barrier, alarm, and inspection requirements.
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SVMC § 19.65.180(B)
- Pool wall setback
- 5 ft from side/rear lines
- Front yard rule
- Pool must sit behind setback
- Permit authority
- SVMC Title 24 building code
- Excavation requirement
- Temporary fencing required
- Unpermitted work penalty
- Investigation fee equals permit fee
Summary
Spokane Valley requires every in-ground swimming pool to sit behind the front yard setback line and at least five feet from every other property line, and the pool must be secured to the standards of SVMC Title 24, the city's adopted building code. Temporary fencing has to go up before excavation starts, ahead of the permanent barrier fence required once the pool is built.
In-Ground Swimming Pool. The vertical wall of all in-ground swimming pools shall be located behind the front yard setback and at least five feet from all other property lines. All pools shall be secured in accordance with the requirements of SVMC Title 24. Temporary fencing is required during excavation.
Full Breakdown
Spokane Valley Municipal Code (SVMC) § 19.65.180(B) governs residential pools under the zoning code's 'Uncategorized uses' section. The vertical wall of the pool shell has to sit entirely behind the required front yard setback for the zone and keep at least five feet of clearance from every other property line, side or rear. The code cross-references SVMC Title 24, the city's adopted building code, which incorporates the Washington State Building Code, International Building Code, and International Residential Code under § 24.40.020: a pool goes through the same building permit review as any other structure before construction, with plans checked by the building official under § 24.40.010.
Permits are not optional, since Title 24's definition of 'structure' already lists swimming pools among the improvements that trigger review. Before excavation crews ever break ground, § 19.65.180(B) requires temporary fencing around the open pit, a life-safety measure independent of whatever permanent pool barrier the adopted residential code later requires around the finished pool. Homeowners planning an in-ground pool should pull the building permit first, confirm the shell placement against the applicable zone's front, side, and rear setbacks in Table 19.70-1, and keep the excavation fenced until the deck and permanent barrier are in place.
Violations & Fines
Building without a permit is not a technicality here: SVMC § 24.40.030(B)(5) makes anyone who starts pool construction before the permit issues liable for an investigation fee equal to the permit fee itself, on top of that fee, whether or not the City ultimately grants the permit. Zoning and building violations more broadly run through SVMC Chapter 17.100, which lets code compliance issue a notice and order, assess civil penalties, and order a stop-work order until the violation is corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build an in-ground pool in Spokane Valley?
How far from my property line does the pool have to be?
What happens if I start digging before the permit is approved?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Spokane Valley
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