Residential Swimming Pool Installation

See the City of Raleigh Development Services Glossary for any unfamiliar terms.

Process Description:
This process describes the plan review, permitting, and inspection process for the installation of residential swimming pools. Pools are regulated by State, County and City laws to prevent drowning and entrapment. Installing a residential swimming pool (i.e. in-ground pools, above-ground pools, on-ground pools, spas and hot tubs that can hold over 24 inches of water) requires a building and electrical permit. If connection is made to a water supply in the home, a plumbing permit for the water service extension and a backflow device will also be required. All City of Raleigh permits must be received prior to pool installation. The permits may be issued while you wait in one hour or less.

All pools must be enclosed by a four-foot high barrier with openings no wider than four inches, and self-closing self-latching gates. For further specifications of the fence requirements for any pool see below regarding submittal requirements.

Are there any prerequisites to this process?

• Pools, decks or permanent impoundments (i.e. pool equipment, or fences shall not be installed over or in a public sewer easement. Location approval required by the City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department for location of pools, if a public sewer easement exists on your property. Call Public Utilities Code Enforcement at (919) 857-4540 for more information
• A recorded map of your parcel is required to verify the location of any public easement at the time of permitting
• Pools and decks may not be constructed over septic or wastewater systems or their repair area. If a septic tank exists on your lot, contact Wake County Environmental Services at 919-856-7400 and speak with a representative to determine the allowed location before applying for the required permit
• A permit will be issued if the pool location meets zoning setbacks and is in compliance with Wake County Environmental Services requirements

How do I begin my project?

• Complete a City of Raleigh Permit Application

What do I need to submit to the City?

Additional detailed information regarding submittals:

Building Code Requirements
Barriers Required for Outdoor Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs and Spas

Outdoor swimming pools including in-ground, above-ground or on-ground pools, hot tubs and spas, shall be provided with a barrier which shall comply with the following:

• 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)
• Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a 4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere
• 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
• 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
• 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 (102 mm). Where there are decorative cutouts within vertical members, spacing within the cutouts shall not exceed 1.75 inches (44 mm) in width
• Maximum mesh size for chain link fences shall be a 2.25-inch (57 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)
• 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)
• Access gates 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. 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 openings shall comply with the following:

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;
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.

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

1. The pool shall be equipped with a powered safety cover in compliance with ASTM F1346; or
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/or its screen, if present, are opened. The alarm shall be listed in accordance with UL 2017. The audible alarm shall activate within 7 seconds and sound continuously for a minimum of 30 seconds and sound continuously for a minimum of 30 seconds after the door and/or its screen, if present, are 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 shall be located at least 54 inches (1372 mm) above the threshold of the door; or
3. Other means of protection, such as self-closing doors with self-latching devices, approved by the City of Raleigh, are acceptable; providing the above conditions are met

• Where an aboveground 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:

1. The ladder or steps shall be capable of being secured, locked or removed to prevent access; or
2. The ladder or steps shall be surrounded by a barrier which meets the requirements of NCRC Appendix G, 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

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

Barrier Exception: Spas or hot tubs with a safety cover which complies with ASTM F 1346 are exempt from barriers.

Electrical Code Requirements
The following is a quick reference guide for electrical work and does not constitute an all-inclusive list of requirements for swimming pools, spas and hot tubs. An electrical permit is issued to ensure that all metal parts within five (5) feet of the pool are properly grounded and safe.

Electrical Ground Work Inspection

Bond the following metal parts together:

[NFPA 680.26]

• Ladders
• Handrails
• Forming shells of wet-niche or dry-niche fixtures
• Brackets of no-niche fixtures
• Metal parts within or attached to a pool structure
• Conductor grid and perimeter surfaces
• Metal parts of electrical equipment associated with the pool water circulating system:

1. Pump motors
2. Metal parts of equipment associated with pool covers
3. Electric motors
4. Pool heaters

• All fixed metal parts that are within 5 ft horizontally of the inside walls of the pool, and within 12 ft above the maximum water level of the pool, including posts and fences.

Bonding grid used to bond metal parts together:
[NFPA 680.26]

• No. 8 or larger solid copper conductor, insulated, covered, or bare
• Structural reinforcing steel of a concrete pool where the reinforcing rods are bonded together by the usual steel tie wires
• The wall of a bolted or welded metal pool
• Rigid metal conduit or intermediate metal conduit metal sheath cables, metal piping and all fixed metal parts

Underground wiring burial depth:
[NFPA 680.10]

• Rigid metal conduit 6"
• Intermediate metal conduit 6"
• Nonmetallic raceways listed for direct burial without concrete encasement 18"
• U. F. cable protected by 15 or 20 ampere GFCI 12", but not allowed with 5 feet of the pool

Electrical Final Inspection

• Switching devises shall be located at least 5 ft from the inside walls of the pool unless separated by a barrier [NFPA 680.22(D)]
• A disconnect means shall be provided within site of pump motor and controller [NFPA 430.102(A)(B)]
• Motors, panel boards, & disconnecting means, shall have an equipment-grounding conductor installed to the service equipment. [NFPA 680.25(B)]

1. It shall be an insulated conductor
2. Sized in accordance with Table 250-122 but not smaller than No. 12.
3. Installed with the feeder conductors in [NFPA 680.25(B):

• Rigid metal conduit
• Intermediate metal conduit
• Liquid tight flexible nonmetallic conduit
• Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit, or reinforced thermosetting resin conduit [NFPA 680.25(A)]

1. Any wiring method in Chapter 3 can be used for:

• Motors in the interior of a one family dwelling
• Motors in a separate building associated with a one family dwelling
• Between the service equipment and existing remote panel boards
• Panel boards in a separate building or structure
• Not allowed within 5 ft of pool

Wet-niche, no-niche & dry-niche fixtures:
[NFPA 680.23(A)]

• GFCI protected
• Installed so the top of the fixture is at least 18" below normal water level
• Connected to an insulated copper equipment-grounding conductor not smaller than No. 12.
• Installed in:

1. Rigid metal conduit
2. Intermediate metal conduit
3. (Metal conduit shall be of brass or other approved non-corrosive metal from deck box to the fixtures)
4. Liquid tight flexible nonmetallic conduit; or
5. Rigid nonmetallic conduit

• Where a nonmetallic conduit is used, a No. 8 insulated copper conductor shall be installed
• Termination shall be covered with, or encapsulated in, a listed potting compound

Dry-Niche Fixtures:
[NFPA 680.23(C)]

• Provided with a provision for drainage
• Means for accommodating one equipment grounding conductor for each conduit entry
• Wiring method:

1. Rigid metal conduit
2. Intermediate metal conduit
3. Liquid tight flexible nonmetallic conduit, or
4. Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit, or reinforced thermosetting resin conduit

A junction box ("deck box") where the luminare operates over 15 volts shall be installed as follows:
[NFPA 680.24(A)]

• Listed and labeled for the purpose
• Equipped with threaded entries or hubs
• Of copper, brass, suitable plastic, or other approved corrosion-resistant material
• Provided with electrical continuity between connected metal conduit and the grounding terminals
• Located not less than 4 in. above the ground level, or pool deck, or not less than 8 in. above the maximum pool water level
• Located not less than 4 ft from the inside wall of the pool, unless separated from the pool by a permanent barrier
• Provided with at least one more grounding terminal than the number of conduit entries

Lighting fixtures must be:
[NFPA 680.22(C)]

• At least 5 ft horizontally and 12 ft vertically from the maximum water level of the pool
• Must be GFCI protected if located in an area between 5 ft and 10 ft horizontally and located not less than 5 ft above water level
• Switching devices must be located 5 ft horizontally

One 125-volt 15 or 20 ampere receptacle must be:

• Located 6 ft minimum and 20 ft maximum from the inside wall of the pool
• GFCI protected [NFPA 680.(22)(A)]

City of Raleigh Public Utilities Requirements

• Swimming Pools or ornamental pools shall discharge to the storm water sewer system under the general permit issued by the NC Division of Water Quality
• Filling of Swimming Pools/Theft of Water: All water used from the Public Utilities system must be metered except in the case of fire emergencies. Water used from the City’s tap system without metering is a violation of the City Code and can result in the fine of a maximum of $500.00/day plus water usage

Zoning Requirement
City Code section 10-2075 Footnote "m" states that above ground pools over 3 feet 6 inches can not encroach more than 20% of the required yard setback. There is no official code requirement stated for in ground pools. Please contact the Zoning Division to discuss the specifics of your in ground pool project before you begin at (919) 516-2555.

Required Inspections

• Residential pools require electrical, building and plumbing inspections
• A ground work electrical inspection is required to approve metal reinforcing bonding, lights, pumps and controls
• A final electrical inspection is also required after completion of the project
• Plumbing work that connects to the home plumbing system is required to be inspected. Pool circulation piping systems are not regulated by the Plumbing Code

- OR -

• Complete the City of Raleigh Permit Application accurately and legibly including the building and electrical sections. If the pool will be connected to the home water or sewer system, complete the plumbing section as well
• Contractor information (contact information, business license, workers compensation, liability insurance, etc.) must be correct in the City of Raleigh Contractor file. Contact the DSCSC at (919) 516-2495 to confirm the accuracy of all required data
• All contractors must have a City of Raleigh Business License, if work is being done within the City Limits of Raleigh, unless you are a homeowner acting as your own contractor
• If a septic tank exists on the property, contact Wake County at (919) 856-7000, to determine the pool installation location
• Provide site plan with application to include all information listed in the Site Review Requirements

What fees are involved and when do I pay them?

• The minimum permit fee will be charged for each required permit
• Refer to the Development Fee Schedule for current fees
• Fee is due at the time of application
• Payment types accepted are cash, MasterCard, Visa or check made payable to: City of Raleigh
• All permit fees are processed by the cashiers at the same location you chose to drop off your submittal package

How long will this process take?
This process takes approximately one hour or less.