Harris County enforces pool safety standards under the ISPSC and IRC including drain covers, alarms, and barrier requirements. Abandoned or neglected pools are also enforceable as nuisances under state law due to mosquito breeding and child safety hazards.
Harris County pool safety requirements follow the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) and International Residential Code (IRC). Key requirements include: (1) compliant drain covers to prevent entrapment per the Virginia Graeme Baker Act; (2) pool barrier and fencing meeting code standards (48-inch height, self-closing gates); (3) proper electrical bonding and GFCI protection for pool equipment; (4) approval during permit inspections. The Texas Neighborhood Nuisance Abatement Act provides additional enforcement for pools that become public health hazards — abandoned pools that collect standing water create mosquito breeding grounds, which is a nuisance under TX Health & Safety Code Ch. 343. Harris County Public Health investigates complaints about neglected pools as conditions that harbor pests. Harris County Mosquito and Vector Control also monitors standing water conditions in the county.
Code violations during construction: stop-work orders and required corrections. Abandoned pool nuisance: 30-day notice, then civil/criminal action. Entrapment hazards: immediate enforcement action.
Harris County, TX
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Harris County, TX
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Harris County, TX
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Harris County, TX
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Harris County, TX
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Harris County, TX
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