Washington County, UT Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)
Swimming pool permit rules in Washington County, UT, also covering above-ground pools, in-ground pools, and spa installations, set fencing, barrier, alarm, and inspection requirements.
Key Facts
- Permit trigger
- Water depth over 24 inches (610 mm)
- Governing section
- County Code § 10-1-6
- Permit issuer
- Washington County building inspector
- Stop-work tool
- Red tag under § 10-1-18
- Default penalty
- Class B misdemeanor, up to $1,000 fine
Summary
Washington County requires a written building permit before any pool is built. Section 10-1-6 of the county zoning title puts pools alongside other structures and utility systems that cannot go in the ground without the building inspector's approval first. Skipping that step risks a stop work order and criminal penalties.
A. The construction, alteration, repair, removal or moving of any building or structure or any part thereof, as provided or as restricted in this title, shall not be commenced or proceeded with, except after the issuance of a written permit for the same by the building inspector. In addition to buildings or structures, utility systems and other physical improvements on any lot, such as pools, courts, etc., shall be constructed only after receiving a written permit from the building inspector.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-17: Code current through: Ord. 2026-1329-O, passed 8-18-2026).
Full Breakdown
, shall be constructed only after receiving a written permit from the building inspector. That permit must also be issued in accordance with the county's general plan, road plan, the standards the county public works director has approved, and all other applicable county ordinances, including the subdivision ordinance, under subsection B. The code separately defines SWIMMING POOL, PRIVATE, in the Title 10 definitions as any structure intended for swimming, recreational bathing or wading that contains water over twenty four inches (24 inches) deep, including in-ground, above-ground and on-ground pools, hot tubs, spas and fixed in-place wading pools serving three homes or less.
Once built, a pool falls under the barrier requirements the county's fencing standards impose on pools and hot tubs not otherwise enclosed or safety covered, and it is subject to inspection by the building inspector under section 10-1-9 to confirm compliance with the zoning title and building code. An inspector who finds a pool going in without the required permit can issue a stop work order, or red tag, under section 10-1-18 until the violation is resolved.
Violations & Fines
Building a pool without the section 10-1-6 permit is unlawful construction under Title 10 and can draw a stop work order, or red tag, under section 10-1-18; removing that tag before the violation is resolved is itself a separate violation. Because Title 10 sets no unique fine for this offense, the county's general penalty in section 1-4-1 applies: up to $1,000.00 and up to six months in jail as a class B misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a backyard pool need a permit in unincorporated Washington County?
Are hot tubs and spas covered by the same pool permit rule?
What happens if a pool is built without the required permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washington County
Compare Washington County to another location·View the Utah swimming pools & spas overview
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