Westminster, CO Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)

Section 11-9-3(A)(1) makes it unlawful to "construct, install, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, replace, convert, demolish, equip, or change the occupancy of any building or structure" including a "swimming pool, spa or hot tub" without first getting a building permit from the Building Official. The only pool-related carve-out in the exempt-work list at Section 11-9-3(A)(2) is for "prefabricated swimming pools or portable wading pools; constructed of flexible plastic, rubber, or similar materials that are less than 24 inches deep." Anything deeper, or any pool built in place with concrete, gunite, or a permanent shell, needs a full permit application, plan review, and inspection.

Once a pool is permitted, Westminster's adopted International Swimming Pool and Spa Code amendments at Section 11-9-12 control the safety details: where a house wall forms part of the required pool barrier, doors, gates, or low windows opening onto the pool must carry a UL 2017 water-hazard entrance alarm, an ASTM F 1346 safety cover, or an equivalent self-closing, self-latching protection system. Pool decks must be designed to the International Residential or Building Code, and chemical storage and handling must comply with the Building and Fire Codes. A licensed contractor is generally required to pull the permit; only an owner building on their own single-family detached home can apply without a City contractor's registration.