A building permit is required prior to construction or installing a swimming pool.
Definitions
Swimming Pool means pre-manufactured or manmade structure located outdoors either in or above the ground, intended to contain water for recreational purposes including swimming or diving although used seasonally; designed to be capable of holding water to a depth of 0.6 m or more.
Yard, Front means a yard extending across the full width of the lot between the street line and the nearest wall of the main building on the lot.
Yard, Rear means a yard extending across the full width of the lot between the rear lot line and the nearest wall of the main building on the lot.
Swimming Pools
Notwithstanding other provisions in the Zoning By-law, an outdoor swimming pool is permitted in any zone subject to the following requirements:
(1) The swimming pool use must be accessory to the main use of the lot.
(2) The swimming pool shall not be located in the front, side or flankage yard (front yard facing secondary street) in any zone.
(3) minimum setback from any other lot line shall be 2 metres.
The Swimming pool shall be clear of any overhead electrical services wires or communication wires.
Enclosures for swimming pools
Notwithstanding other provisions in the Zoning By-law, an outdoor swimming pool shall be completely enclosed by a fence or a combination of a permanent structure and a fence that prevents access to the pool from the street or abutting lot .
(1) The swimming pool enclosure shall completely enclose the swimming pool.
(2) The swimming pool shall create a barrier that is not less than 1.5 metres (5 feet) in height when measured from the ground to the top of the fence, gate, or structure, enclosing the pool.
(3) The swimming pool enclosure shall have no opening greater than 100 mm (4 inches) in the barrier(s) required in (2).
A 100 mm (4 inch) diameter ball shall not pass through an opening in the barrier. Integrated Pool fencing mechanically attached to above ground pool structures may be considered part of the 1.5 m (5 foot) high enclosure.
Swimming pool enclosure access
Notwithstanding other provisions in the Zoning By-law, an outdoor swimming pool shall be accessed by:
(1) A self-closing and self-latching gate that is a minimum height of 1.5m (5 feet high).
(2) A main building or structure.
(3) An accessory building or structure.
(4) Any combination of the above.
All accesses through structures to be protected by self-closing, self-latching barriers.
Sundecks and platforms surrounding swimming pools
(1) where the mean height of the structure from the adjacent grade to the bottom of the structure does not exceed 0.5 metres in height, such a structure may extend to within 1.5 metres of the rear lot line.
(2) where the mean height of the structure from the adjacent grade to the bottom of the structure exceeds 0.5 metres in height, such a structure may extend to within 2.0 metres of the rear lot line.
(3) decks may extend to with1.8 metres of the side lot line on the non-driveway side of the main structure.
(4) decks may extend to within 1.5 metres of the side lot line on the driveway side where a garage or carport is attached to the main structure.
(5) decks may extend to within 3.5 metres of the side lot line on the driveway side where no garage or carport is attached to the main structure.
(6) decks may extend to within 1.8 metres of the side lot line on the driveway side, where the distance from the front lot line equals or exceeds 12 metres.
(7) exterior stairways may extend or project into a required front or rear yard up to 1.5 m (5 Foot).
Porches, platforms, landing places, or sundecks may not extend into the required front yard setback area of the zone 7.5 m (25 feet) from street line.
Fences
(1) a fence may be placed or located in a yard.
(2) no fence along a street line may exceed 1.2 m (4 foot) in height.
(3) No fence may exceed the height of 1.5 m (5 foot) in a residential or Mobile Home Zone.
(4) No fence shall be located within 1.5 m (5 foot) from the street line in any zones.
(5) No fence shall be located:
(i) within 150 mm (6 inches) of a rear or side property line in the case of chain link fences.
(ii) within 600 mm (2 foot) of a side or rear property line for all other types of construction.
Notwithstanding adjoining property lines, where both owners of adjacent properties have applied for and signed the Building Permit, a fence may be placed exactly on the property line.
No fence shall be electrified or incorporate barbed wire or other dangerous materials.
Notwithstanding item (6), fences other than a chain link fence, shall be installed with the finished side facing the adjoining property.
The Permit Process
A building permit is required prior to construction or installing a swimming pool.
Construction value of the work (including materials & labour)
Site plan with dimensions (of structures to the property line)
Submit Plans (drawn to scale) showing:
Overall site plan locating pool, fencing and decks
Identify protected accesses into the pool enclosure
Department of Public Safety requires Hose Bib Vacuum or Dual Check Valve Assembly on water supply between pool and dwelling (questions may be directed to Plumbing Inspector – Department of Public Safety: 658-2514).
