Farmington Hills, MI Swimming Pools & Spas: Safety Rules (2026)

Farmington Hills enforces the Michigan Residential Code (currently based on the 2015 IRC) which is preempted to the state by the Stille-DeRossett-Hale Act (MCL 125.1501-1531). Safety standards include: (1) IRC Appendix G pool barrier (48-inch fence, no 4-inch sphere openings, self-closing/self-latching gate, alarms or ASTM F1346 cover where dwelling is the barrier); (2) National Electrical Code Article 680 - GFCI protection on all pool circuits and on receptacles within 20 feet of the pool wall, equipotential bonding grid tying the pool shell, deck, ladders, and metal equipment to common ground; (3) federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act and ANSI/APSP-16 anti-entrapment standards for all main drain covers; (4) lighting and signage as required by the code. Chapter 28 of the Farmington Hills Code adds local rules on pool location/setback (typically requiring pools and their decks to sit outside required side and rear yard setbacks), drainage of pool discharge (must not be directed onto neighboring property or directly into the sanitary sewer without authorization), and the requirement that no pool may be used without final building inspection approval. The Building Division at (248) 871-2450 enforces all of the above.