150. SWIMMING POOLS
CHAPTER 150: SWIMMING POOLS
Section
General Provisions
150.01 Statement of purpose
150.02 Definitions
150.03 UBC requirements/building permit
Regulations
150.15 Requirements
150.16 Exclusive private use
150.17 Distance requirements
150.18 Water supply
150.19 Construction
150.20 Fencing and access control
GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 150.01 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.
The City Council finds that public safety and welfare requires that property owners meet certain basic safety requirements when constructing or maintaining a private swimming pool on their property. The standards are established in this chapter.
(Prior Code, § 515.1)
§ 150.02 DEFINITIONS.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
PRIVATE SWIMMING POOL. A swimming pool which is used exclusively by the occupants of the property on which it is located and their family and guests.
SWIMMING POOL. A human-made rigid or semi‑rigid receptacle for water having a depth at any point greater than 24 inches, used or intended to be used for swimming, wading, or bathing, and constructed, installed, or maintained in or above the ground; if entirely within an enclosed building, it shall be designed as an indoor swimming pool, and if not, it shall be known as an outdoor pool.
(Prior Code, § 515.1)
§ 150.03 UBC REQUIREMENTS/BUILDING PERMIT.
(A) A property owner in any zoning district contemplating the construction or placement of a private swimming pool or spa should contact the city’s Planning Department for information on the UBC requirements.
(B) The Uniform Building Code provides safety guidelines for swimming pools in Appendix Chapter 4, Special Use and Occupancy, Division 1: Barriers for Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs. Other UBC provisions may apply.
(C) A property owner or company hired to construct or place a private swimming pool on a property is required to obtain a zoning certificate/building permit from the Planning Department prior to the construction. An applicant will need to submit a site plan and information on the height and size of the private swimming pool and the required fencing or other access controls that may be required by the provisions of this chapter for the private swimming pool, as well as those required by the Uniform Building Code.
(Prior Code, § 515.3)
REGULATIONS
§ 150.15 REQUIREMENTS.
Swimming pools shall be allowed in any residential zoning district as an accessory use and are subject to the following conditions and requirements.
(Prior Code, § 515.2)
§ 150.16 EXCLUSIVE PRIVATE USE.
The pool is to be used solely for the enjoyment of the occupants of the principal building of the property upon which it is located and their guests.
(Prior Code, § 515.2)
§ 150.17 DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS.
Swimming pools shall not be located in any required front or side yard. They may only be located in the rear yard but shall not be closer than ten feet to any building or property line on which they are located, provided that pumps, filters and pool water disinfecting equipment, and installations shall be located no closer than 20 feet to any property line. No pool shall be constructed as to encroach on any easement.
(Prior Code, § 515.2) Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 150.18 WATER SUPPLY.
No swimming pool in excess of 2,500-gallon capacity shall be installed or operated without a recirculating and filtering system.
(A) In swimming pools, 30 feet in width or less, water circulation system outlets shall be located so as to provide at least one outlet at the deepest point in the pool. If the pool width is more than 30 feet, multiple outlets shall be provided and spaced not more than 30 feet apart, nor closer than four feet to any wall. All pool drain outlets shall be equipped with gratings having an area of opening of not less than four times the cross-sectional area of the outlets pipe. The gratings shall be of the design so they cannot be readily removable by bathers and will not injure bathers’ fingers. One outlet shall be provided for each 800 square feet of surface area.
(B) Pools shall be equipped with facilities for completely emptying the pool.
(C) Water shall be discharge so that it does not flow over someone else’s property. The water shall also be discharged in a manner that will prevent nuisance conditions (such as creation of odors and fly and mosquito breeding conditions). Nuisance conditions often occur when water is ponded for a prolonged period.
(Prior Code, § 515.2) Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 150.19 CONSTRUCTION.
(A) Structural design. Residential pool structures shall be designed to withstand water pressure from within and to resist pressure of the earth when the pool is empty, to a pressure of 2,200 pounds per square foot. Materials used shall be subject to the approval of the Building Inspector.
(B) Walk areas. Unobstructed walk areas not less than 36 inches wide shall be provided to extend all the way around the pool.
(C) Electrical requirements. No current carrying electrical conductors shall cross private outdoor swimming pools, either overhead or underground, or within 15 feet of a pool.
(D) Cover. A suitable substantial protective cover shall be provided and installed over all private outdoor swimming pools during the non‑swimming season.
(E) Sanitation. Every pool shall be designed and constructed as to facilitate cleaning and shall be maintained and operated in a manner as to be clean and sanitary at all times.
(F) Diving boards. Where a swimming pool has a diving board or a diving apparatus for the purpose of diving into the pool, there shall be a clear area of not less than an eight-foot radius ahead of the furthermost projection of the diving board.
(Prior Code, § 515.2) Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 150.20 FENCING AND ACCESS CONTROL.
(A) For a below-grade swimming pool, the pool, or the property upon which the pool is located, shall be enclosed by a fence of a type which effectively controls the entrance by children to the pool area, the fence to be at least four feet in height, but less than six feet. Wooden fences with boards placed vertically shall not have any opening wider than four inches per opening and wooden fences with boards placed horizontally shall not have any opening wider than one inch per opening. Gates installed for access to the property or pool area shall be equipped with an automatic closing and latching device to protect against uncontrolled access to the property. For an in‑ground pool, a mechanically controlled, walk‑on cover must be used in lieu of fencing requirements. Pools shall be attended by an adult or certified lifeguard whenever a cover is not in place.
(B) For an above-grade swimming pool, the pool shall be equipped with an automatically retractable type ladder, a retractable ladder, or a removable ladder or shall be fenced as otherwise required by the provisions of this chapter, the ladder to be removed or retracted when the pool is not being attended. If access to the pool is via a deck or porch, then no access from the ground is permitted to the deck area unless the property or the ground access to the deck is fenced as otherwise required by the provisions of this chapter.
(C) It shall be the responsibility of the owner of the property upon which the pool is located to maintain all fences, gates, pool covers, and closure devices in good operating condition. Failure to maintain fences, failure to have gates closed, or failure to either remove or retract the ladder access to the pool shall constitute a violation of Chapter 151 and therefore be subject to the penalties contained therein.
(Prior Code, § 515.2)