The key word here is "paved". If there is a paved surface around the above ground pool it needs to be bonded. Nothing says what elevation this paved surface has to be. It is just horizontally 3 feet. That would usually bite the guy who decided paving bricks would be a good solution to the mud next to the pool and were easier than concrete although concrete would still need wire in it, bonded to the grid.
In real life, if it was done after the pool was OKed I am not sure how this would be enforced.
A wood/Trex etc deck around the pool would not need the bonding grid.
The only pools that are exempt are "storables". I think you would be looking at the equipment installed when you made that decision. "Storable" pumps and lights are different than "permanent" ones and they are mutually exclusive. You would be looking at that at the 680.22 and 23 stage of your plan review.


Greg Fretwell