Bellevue — Ch. 8 Buildings, Housing, and Construction § 8-80
Definitions
Operative Text
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Barrier means a fence, wall, building wall, or combination thereof which completely surrounds the private swimming pool and obstructs access to the private swimming pool. Building means any structure designed or intended for the support, enclosure, shelter or protection of persons, animals or property. Diagonal setback means a measurement for setback that is calculated by measuring from the water surface at the pool's edge to the lowest electrical service line. Dwelling means any building, structure or improvement consisting of not more than four dwelling units. Dwelling unit means a building, structure or improvement used or designed for occupancy by one family. Family means an individual person or two or more persons who are related by blood, marriage or adoption or who maintain a common household in a dwelling unit. Linear means a straight and horizontal measurement between points. Private residential property means any real property, building or portions thereof used for dwelling purposes. Private swimming pool means a body of water in an artificial or partly artificial receptacle or other container whether installed or constructed above or below ground elevation with a depth of two feet or more (and a minimum surface area of 125 square feet) or to be used for swimming, wading, diving or recreational bathing located on private residential property for the use of the property's owner and guests. Spa means a hydro massage pool, or tub for therapeutic or recreational use, not located in health care facilities, and shall include, but is not limited to, terms such as hydrotherapy pool, whirlpool, hot spa and hot tub. A spa is designed for the immersion of users, but not for swimming or diving purposes, and usually consists of a filter, heater and motor-driven blower. It may be installed indoors and outdoors, on the ground or supporting structure or in the ground or supporting structure.
Section 8-80 of Bellevue's Buildings, Housing, and Construction code establishes the specific meanings of key terms used throughout the private swimming pool article. Words like "barrier," "private swimming pool," "spa," and "dwelling" carry precise definitions here that govern how the rest of the article's requirements are interpreted and applied. For example, a private swimming pool is defined by specific depth and surface area thresholds, and a spa is distinguished from a pool by its intended use and design features. These definitions set the interpretive foundation for all related regulations in the article.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to Bellevue Ch. 8 § 8-80 should familiarize themselves with the defined terms before assessing compliance with the broader swimming pool article. Whether a water feature qualifies as a "private swimming pool" or a "spa" under § 8-80 determines which specific construction, barrier, and setback requirements apply to that feature. Operators who maintain residential properties with aquatic features generally review these definitions carefully to ensure that fencing, electrical setbacks, and other obligations are applied to the correct type of structure.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living on private residential property in Bellevue where a pool or spa is present may find that the definitions in § 8-80 are relevant to understanding what safety and construction standards apply to those features. Because the definition of "private residential property" and "dwelling unit" in § 8-80 shapes the scope of the entire swimming pool article, tenants can reference these terms when evaluating whether a landlord's pool or spa is subject to the article's requirements. Tenants who believe a water feature on their property may not meet applicable standards can consult local tenant-rights organizations or contact the relevant Bellevue building or code enforcement office for guidance.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation