Above-ground backyard pools are always popular this time of year. However, you might not realize many cities and counties have rules and regulations for those pools.
If you're going to buy an above ground pool, call your city and county and check on the rules.
If your pool is at least two feet deep, you need to have a fence around your yard, or get an extender that makes the walls around your pool at least four feet high.
Watch out for ladders, too. If you're not using your pool, you need to remove the ladder or somehow secure it so a child can't climb up and fall into the pool.
Some cities and counties also have rules about how close your pool can be to your property line and your house.
If someone gets hurt or drowns on your property and you didn't follow the rules, you're going to be in trouble. In some situations, you could face fines and even criminal charges.
MORE INFORMATION:
According to the North Carolina State Fire Marshal's Office:
The North Carolina State Residential Code (NCRC) applies to Detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories in height as stated in R101.2. Above ground pools are typically considered as accessory to residential structures, and therefore, if installed on property that contains the previous defined structures they would be subject to compliance with Appendix G of the NCRC. The specific sections of Appendix G are: AG101.2; AG102; AG103 and AG 105. In addition, a national standard, ANSI-4, applies to above ground residential pools.
Here is a link to the text of Appendix G:
http://ecodes.biz/ecodes_support/free_resources/2012NorthCarolina/Residential/Part_I_Residential/PDFs/AppG_NC_Res_2012.pdf