• General Code Requirements
• Appendix G of the 2000 International Residential Code
• Swimming Pool Enclosures
• Swimming Pool Permit
• Above Ground Pool with an Attached Deck
• Pool Requirement for Distance from Property Line

Updated: June 30, 2007

• All Swimming pools containing over 24” of water or more must be permitted, installed, and protected in accordance with Appendix G of the 2003 International Residential Code as adopted by Harford County.
• A barrier for all swimming pools shall be installed for protection against potential drownings. The barrier shall be in conformance with Appendix G of the Code. A copy of the barrier requirements have been provided in the attached Swimming Pool Guidelines.
• A Compliant barrier shall be installed as soon as the water depth exceeds 24”.


• The Code does not prescribe a time frame in which a barrier must be installed.
• When using an option that allows for wire mesh to be installed on the structural portions of the fence, the wire mesh must be installed on the non-pool side.
• Split rail fences must have the top and bottom of the wire mesh secured to prevent the mesh from being bent up or down to transverse the barrier.
• The walls of an above ground pool may be used as a barrier when such walls are a minimum of 48” in height and the adjoining grade allows the 48” in height to be maintained for a minimum of 48” out, measured perpendicular to the pool wall.
• Swing up ladders shall have the release latch a minimum of 54” above the finished grade.
• A 15 to 20 amp electrical branch circuit that is Ground Fault protected shall be provided to distribute power for the pool circulation pump in accordance with the Harford County Electrical Code for the following pools:
• All indoor pools, all in ground pools, and all above ground pools containing more than 42 “ of water.
• A brief overview of the electrical code requirements is attached.
• Prior to use of the pool, a final inspection by the Harford County Building Services Division (410) 638-3366 and Electrical Services Division (410) 638-3363 will be required.
• A Certificate of Occupancy for the pool must be issued to verify compliance with the applicable provisions of the Harford County Code.
  • Failure to have a Certificate of Occupancy issued within one (1) year of issuance of the Building Permit will cause the pool permit to expire.
  • Inspections may be requested from the Building Services Division by calling (410) 638-3366 and the Electrical Services Division at (410) 638-3363, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Inspection requests will be scheduled for the next business day.
  • A Certificate of Occupancy will be issued and mailed to the property owner after all required approvals have been obtained.

• Questions regarding the permit process or Code requirements regarding swimming pools may be directed to the Building Services Division at (410) 638-3366.

Appendix G of the 2003 International Residential Code (Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs)

SECTION AG101
GENERAL

AG101.1 General. The provisions of this appendix shall control the design and construction of swimming pools, spas and hot tubs installed in or on the lot of a one- and two-family dwelling.

SECTION AG102
DEFINITIONS

AG102.1 General. For the purposes of these requirements, the terms used shall be defined as follows and as set forth in Chapter 2.

ABOVE-GROUND/ON-GROUND POOL.  See "Swimming pool."

BARRIER. A fence, wall, building wall or combination thereof which completely surrounds the swimming pool and obstructs access to the swimming pool.

HOT TUB.  See "Swimming pool."

IN-GROUND POOL. See "Swimming pool."

RESIDENTIAL. That which is situated on the premises of a detached one- or two-family dwelling or a one-family townhouse not more than three stories in height.

SPA, NON-PORTABLE. See "Swimming pool."

SPA, PORTABLE. A nonpermanent structure intended for recreation bathing, in which all controls, water-heating and water-circulating equipment are an integral part of the product.

SWIMMING POOL. Any structure intended for swimming or recreational bathing that contains water over 24 inches (610 mm) deep. This includes in-ground, aboveground and on-ground swimming pools, hot tubs and spas.

SWIMMING POOL, INDOOR. A swimming pool which is totally contained within a structure and surrounded on all four sides by walls of said structure.

SWIMMING POOL, OUTDOOR. Any swimming pool which is not an indoor pool.

SECTION AG103
SWIMMING POOLS

AG103.1 In-ground pools. In-ground pools shall be designed and constructed in conformance with ANSI/NSPI-5 as listed in Section AG107.

AG103.2 Above-ground and on-ground pools. Above-ground and on-ground pools shall be designed and constructed in conformance with ANSI/NSPI-4 as listed in Section AG107.

SECTION AG104
SPAS AND HOT TUBS

AG104.1 Permanently installed spas and hot tubs. Permanently installed spas and hot tubs shall be designed and constructed in conformance with ANSI/NSPI-3 as listed in Section AG107.

AG104.2 Portable spas and hot tubs. Portable spas and hot tubs shall be designed and constructed in conformance with ANSI/NSPI-6 as listed in Section AG107.

SECTION AG105
BARRIER REQUIREMENTS

AG105.1 Application. The provisions of this chapter shall control the design of barriers for residential swimming pools, spas and hot tubs. These design controls are intended to provide protection against potential drownings and near-downings by restricting access to swimming pools, spas and hot tubs.

AG105.2 Outdoor swimming pool. An outdoor swimming pool, including an in-ground, above-ground or on-ground pool, hot tub or spa shall be provided with a barrier which shall comply with the following:

1. The top of the barrier shall be at least 48 inches (1219 mm) above grade measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool. The maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall be 2 inches (51 mm) measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool. Where the top of the pool structure is above grade, such as an above ground pool, the barrier may be at ground level, such as the pool structure, or mounted on top of the pool structure. Where the barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure, the maximum vertical clearance between the top of the pool structure and the bottom of the barrier shall be 4 inches (102 mm).

2. Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a 4-inch diameter (102 mm) sphere.

3. Solid barriers which do not have openings, such as a masonry or stone wall, shall not contain indentations or protrusions except for normal construction tolerances and tooled masonry joints.

4. Where the barrier is composed of horizontal and vertical members and the distance between the tops of the horizontal members is less than 45 inches (1143 mm), the horizontal members shall be located on the swimming pool side of the fence. Spacing between vertical members shall not exceed 1.75 inches (44 mm) in width. Where there are decorative cutouts within vertical members, spacing within the cutouts shall not exceed 1.75 inches (44 mm) in width.

5. Where the barrier is composed of horizontal and vertical members and the distance between the tops of the horizontal members is 45 inches (1143 mm) or more, spacing between vertical members shall not exceed 4 inches (102mm). Where there are decorative cutouts within vertical members, spacing within the cutouts shall not exceed 1.75 inches (44 mm) in width.

6. Maximum mesh size for chain link fences shall be a 1.25 inch (32 mm) square unless the fence is provided with slats fastened at the top or the bottom which reduce the openings to not more than 1.75 inches (44 mm).

7. Where the barrier is composed of diagonal members, such as a lattice fence, the maximum opening formed by the diagonal members shall not be more than 1.75 inches (44 mm).

8. Access gates shall comply with the requirements of Section AG105.2, Items 1 through 7, and shall be equipped to accommodate a locking device. Pedestrian access gates shall open outward away from the pool and shall be self-closing and have a self-latching device. Gates other than pedestrian access gates shall have a self-latching device. Gates other than pedestrian access gates shall have a self-latching device. Where the release mechanism of the self-latching device is located less than 54 inches (1372 mm) from the bottom of the gate, the release mechanism and opening shall comply with the following:

   8.1	The release mechanism shall be located on the pool side of the gate at least 3 inches (76 mm) below the top of the gate, and
   8.2	The gate and barrier shall have no opening greater than 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) within 18 inches (457 mm) of the release mechanism.

   
    

9. Where a wall of a dwelling serves as part of the barrier one of the following conditions shall be met:

   9.1	The pool shall be equipped with a powered safety cover in compliance with ASTM F1346; or
   9.2	All doors with direct access to the pool through that wall shall be equipped with an alarm which produces an audible warning when the door and its screen, if present, are opened. The alarm shall sound continuously for a minimum of 30 seconds immediately after the door is opened and be capable of being heard throughout the house during normal household activities. The alarm shall automatically reset under all conditions. The alarm system shall be equipped with a manual means, such as touchpad or switch, to temporarily deactivate the alarm for a single opening. Such deactivation shall last for not more than 15 seconds. The deactivation switch(es) shall be located at least 54 inches (1372 mm) above the threshold of the door; or
   9.3	Other means of protection, such as self-closing doors with self-latching devices, which are approved by the governing body, shall be acceptable so long as the degree of protection afforded is not less than the protection afforded by Item 9.1 or 9.2 described above.

10. Where an above-ground pool structure is used as a barrier or where the barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure, and the means of access is a ladder or steps, then:

    10.1	The ladder or steps shall be capable of being secured, locked or removed to prevent access, or
    10.2	The ladder or steps shall be surrounded by a barrier which meets the requirements of Section AG105.2, Items 1 through 9. When the ladder or steps are secured, locked or removed, any opening created shall not allow the passage of a 4-inch diameter (102 mm) sphere.

AG105.3 Indoor swimming pool. All walls surrounding an indoor swimming pool shall comply with Section AG105.2, Item 9.

AG105.4 Prohibited locations. Barriers shall be located so as to prohibit permanent structures, equipment or similar objects from being used to climb the barriers.

AG105.5 Barrier exceptions. Spas or hot tubs with a safety cover which complies with ASTM F 1346, as listed in Section AG107, shall be exempt from the provisions of this appendix.

SECTION AG106
ABBREVIATIONS

AG106.1 General.

ANSI -- American National Standards Institute
11 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036

ASTM -- American Society of Testing and Materials
1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

NSPI -- National Spa and Pool Institute
2111 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314

SECTION AG107
STANDARDS

AG107.1 General

ANSI/NSPI
ANSI/NSPI-3 Standard for Permanently Installed Residential Spas	AG104.1
ANSI/NSPI-4 Standard for above-ground & on-ground Residential Swimming Pools	AG103.2
ANSI/NSPI-5 Standard for Residential In-ground Swimming Pools	AG103.1
ANSI/NSPI-6 Standard for Residential Portable Spas	AG104.2
ASTM
ASTM F 1346-91 Standard Performance Specifications for Safety Covers and Labeling Requirements for All Covers for Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs	AG105.2 AG105.5

Swimming Pool Permit:




DOWNLOAD Building Permit Worksheet	...here Worksheet with Fill in Form Option [60k] Worksheet without Form Option [44k]
This worksheet is available in Adobe Acrobat .PDF format.  To obtain a free copy of the Adobe Viewer, visit Adobe's website.

Note: Please be advised that an electrical permit is required for swimming pools capable of holding water in depth greater than 42 inches. The permanent wiring required is governed by Article 680 of the 2005 National Electrical Code, which states in part:

1. A receptacle that provides power for a water pump motor shall be permitted between 5 feet and 10 feet from the inside walls of the pool and shall be single and of the locking and grounding types and shall be protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter.

2. At least one 125 volt 15-20 amp receptacle on a general-purpose branch circuit shall be located a minimum of 10 feet from, and not more than 20 feet from, the inside wall of the pool.

3. All 125 volt receptacles located within 20 feet of the inside walls of the pool shall be protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter.

4. Double insulated pool pumps are permitted to be used on swimming pools capable of holding water in depth greater than 42 inches.

5. Article 400 - Flexible Cords and Cables, "400.8. Uses Not Permitted . . . : (1) As a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure" will be adhered to.

Questions: Please call 410.638.3366