(1) General provisions. Private swimming pools are regulated by this chapter and are defined as follows: Any enclosure, designed or intended or used for the containment of water, whether constructed below ground level or above ground level, having a surface area exceeding 100 square feet and a depth exceeding 18 inches which is designed, intended or used for swimming, wading, or other recreational use by the owner or tenant of the property upon which the pool is constructed, or by their family or invited guests without payment of a fee.
(2) Permit required. No swimming pool shall be constructed or established, and no such pool construction shall be commenced in the City without first obtaining a permit from the Building Inspector.
(3) Application for permit. Application for a swimming pool permit shall be made to the Building Inspector upon forms provided by the Building Inspector. A fee set by resolution of the Council shall be submitted with the application to cover the costs of inspection. The application for the permit shall include, without limitation, the following information:
a. Complete plans and specifications for the construction of the pool;
b. A site plan showing the location of all structures on the lot, including the house, garage, fences, trees, overhead or underground wiring, utility easements, and other significant improvements or natural features;
c. The proposed location of pumps, filters, electrical power source (if applicable), flushing and drainage outlets, and other optional features;
d. Location and specifications of protective fencing.
(4) Construction set-back requirements. Private swimming pools shall be constructed so as to avoid hazard or damage to the occupants of the subject property or the occupants of adjacent property and shall meet the following minimum requirements:
a. Setback. No pool shall be located within 18 feet (measured horizontally) from any underground or overhead utility line of any kind.
b. Easements. No pool shall be located within any public or private utility easement, ingress or egress easement, drainage way, marsh, or other location in which it will represent a threat to the natural environment.
c. Accessory structures. Swimming pools are accessory structures in all residential districts under the City's zoning ordinance and must meet appropriate setback regulations.
d. Electrical. All electrical installations shall comply with current building, electrical and other applicable state and local codes.
(5) Safety fence required.
a. Fence required. A safety fence at least 4 feet in height shall completely enclose the pool. All openings or points of entry into the pool area shall be equipped with gates or doors. All gates and doors shall have a latch which shall be so constructed and so placed as to be inaccessible to small children. All gates and doors shall be latched and locked to prevent access to the pool when the pool is not in use. Any opening between the bottom of the fence and the ground level shall not exceed 3 inches.
b. Walls and fence construction. The wall of any pool constructed above ground level, regardless of the height thereof, shall not quality as a safety fence.
Safety fences shall be constructed so as to inhibit the climbing thereof by any person. Any safety fence constructed primarily of wood shall be composed of vertical members with spaces no greater than 3 inches between the boards. If constructed primarily of other materials, a safety fence shall contain no space through which a sphere 3 inches in diameter may pass.
(6) Miscellaneous requirements.
a. Nuisance. The conduct of persons and the operation of pools shall be the responsibility of the owner and the tenant thereof, and such conduct of persons and operation of the pool shall be done in such a manner so as to avoid any nuisance or breach of the peace, and it shall be unlawful to allow loud noises to go beyond the boundaries of the property upon which the pool is located to adjacent property.
b. Drainage. All back flushing water or pool drainage water shall be directed onto the property of the owner, or onto approved drainage ways. Drainage unto public streets or other public drainage shall require a permit from the Building Inspector.
c. Lighting. Any outdoor lighting of the pool shall not be permitted to spill or shine upon adjacent properties.
d. Filling. The filling of pools from fire hydrants or other public facilities is prohibited without prior approval of the Director of Public Works.
(7) Application. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to pools constructed after the date of passage of this chapter.
(Prior Code, § 1001.12, subds. 1 and 4) (Am. Ord. 2010-06, passed 3-23-2010; Am. Ord. 2010-23, passed 12-14-2010; Am. Ord. 2012-09, passed 10-9-2012; Am. Ord. 2014-10, passed 7-8-2014; Am. Ord. 2018-13, passed 4-10-2018; Am. Ord. 2020-07, passed 2-24-2020; Am. Ord. 2024-09, passed 6-25-2024)