Minnehaha County, SD Swimming Pools & Spas: Safety Rules (2026)

The operative safety framework is IRC Appendix G as adopted by Minnehaha County on April 19, 2022 (effective May 27, 2022). Mandated safety provisions include: (1) Pre-fill barrier inspection — water cannot be added until the building official approves the barrier; (2) Powered safety cover compliance with ASTM F1346 when a cover is used as part of the barrier system; (3) Door alarms meeting UL 2017 on every door with direct pool access from the dwelling, sounding continuously for at least 30 seconds within 7 seconds of being opened, with an adult-height deactivation switch at least 54 inches above the floor; (4) Suction-entrapment protection on spas and hot tubs per IRC AG106 / Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act standards for drains and outlets. South Dakota has no statewide residential pool-safety statute — the county-adopted IRC is the only enforceable rule. Beyond the building code, unsecured pools that endanger neighbors or attract children can be abated as a public nuisance under SDCL 21-10-1 (annoys, injures, or endangers the comfort, repose, health, or safety of others) and SDCL 21-10-3 (public nuisance affecting a community). The county Public Nuisance Ordinance authorizes the Sheriff and Planning Department to compel abatement.