Swimming Pool

RESIDENTIAL SWIMMING POOLS


Pool Definition: 

A swimming pool is any outdoor structure which is intended for swimming, wading, or recreational bathing and contains water over 24 inches in depth. 

Storable Pool: 

A pool with nonmetallic, molded polymeric walls or inflatable fabric walls constructed on or above the ground and is so constructed that it may be readily disassembled for storage and reassembled to its original integrity. Storable pools must be disassembled and stored between the dates of November 1 and April 1 of each year. Storable pools do not require a fence or barrier provided all access (ladders, etc.) is removed and the pool is covered when not attended.

Permits: 

A swimming pool permit is required to install all swimming pools, except storable pools. Storable swimming or wading pools do not require a permit. Submit a completed permit application with, at a minimum, a site plan drawing showing the pool’s proposed location and a plan showing the design and location of the barrier or fence being installed. An application for a Natural Resources Management Permit (NRMP) shall also be submitted. 

Setbacks: 

Pools shall be set back a minimum of five (5) feet from any side or rear property line as measured from the nearest edge of the slope around the pool or perimeter walk. Pools shall not be permitted in the front yard or side yard in the area between the street right-of-way line and the minimum required building setback line. Swimming pools shall not be permitted in any easement.

Drainage: 

Installation of a pool shall not impact drainage patterns of adjacent properties or cause increased drainage from your property to any adjacent property. All proposed plans will be reviewed.

Barrier: 

A minimum 48 inch high barrier or fence shall be erected around swimming pools. The barrier shall restrict access and be equipped with a door or gate that is self-latching. The latch shall be located a minimum of 42 inches above the adjacent ground level and equipped with a lock. Gates shall be kept locked when the pool is unattended. See the information below for more on barriers.

Safety Glazing: 

Glass around pools shall be safety glazing when the bottom edge of the glass is less than 60 inches above a walking surface (on the pool side of the glass) and the glass is within 5 feet of the pool.

REQUIRED INSPECTIONS 

Inspections will not be completed until the permit is issued.

  1. Setback inspection - When the location of the pool has been staked and ground preparation completed, an inspection shall be performed. No concrete shall be placed before this inspection is approved.
  2. Gas line inspection and air test – All gas lines shall be inspected and air tested before concealing the pipe. The air test shall be 25 psi for 30 minutes.
  3. Electrical inspection – A separate electrical permit is required. The electrical work shall be approved by contacting the State Electrical Inspector at (507-371-1791), Monday through Friday 7 am to 8:30 am.
  4. Final inspection – When the pool and barrier are complete, and all electrical work has been completed and approved, a final inspection shall be performed.


SWIMMING POOLS – BARRIER REQUIREMENTS (155.352)


  1. A minimum forty-eight-inch high barrier that completely surrounds and restricts access to the swimming pool shall be installed and maintained in a sound and safe condition around a swimming pool or around the tract of land where the pool is located. The barrier may consist of a security fence, freestanding wall, a building’s wall, or combination thereof. When the swimming pool is an above-ground swimming pool of which the wall(s) of the swimming pool are greater than 48 inches from the ground to the top of the pool wall(s) at every point around the pool, then no barrier is required, but the means of access into the swimming pool (e.g. ladder or steps), shall be secured, locked or removed to prevent access during any period of time that the pool is unattended or not in use. Spas or hot tubs with a locking safety cover which complies with ASTM Standard F 1346-91 shall be exempt from these barrier requirements, provided they are equipped with a safety locking cover which is locked at all time during which the spa or hot tub is not in use. Storable swimming or wading pools shall be exempt from this section provided all means of access into the pool are removed and the pool is covered when it is not attended.
  2. The top of the barrier shall be at least 48 inches above grade measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool. The maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall not allow passage of a four-inch-diameter-sphere. Where the top of the pool structure is above grade, such as an above-ground pool, the barrier may be at ground level, such as the pool structure, or mounted on top of the pool structure. Where the barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure, the maximum vertical clearance between the top of the pool structure and the bottom of the barrier shall not allow passage of a four-inch-diameter sphere.
  3. Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a four-inch-diameter sphere.
  4. To prevent a person from scaling a solid barrier, which does not have openings, such as a masonry or stone wall, such barrier wall shall not contain indentations or protrusions in excess of 1.25 square inches except for normal construction tolerances and tooled masonry joints.
  5. Where the barrier is composed of horizontal and vertical members and the distance between the tops of each of the horizontal members is less than 45 inches, the horizontal members shall be located on the swimming pool side of the fence. Spacing between vertical members shall not exceed 1.75 inches in width. Where there are decorative cutouts within vertical members, spacing within the cutouts shall not exceed l.75 inches in width.
  6. Where the barrier is composed of horizontal and vertical members and the distance between the tops of each of the horizontal members is 45 inches or more, spacing between vertical members shall not exceed four inches. Where there are decorative cutouts within vertical members, spacing within the cutouts shall not exceed 1.75 inches in width.
  7. Maximum mesh size for chain link fences shall be a 2.25-inch square unless the fence is provided with slats fastened at the top or the bottom of which reduce the openings to not more than 1.75 inches.
  8. Where the barrier is composed of diagonal members, such as a lattice fence, the maximum opening formed by the diagonal members shall not be more than 1.75 inches.
  9. The Building Inspector shall approve the plans and specifications for the barrier prior to its installation. The barrier shall be equipped with doors or gates which are self-closing and self-latching with the latch to be located a minimum of forty-two inches above ground level and equipped with a Jock which shall be kept locked when the swimming pool is unattended.

For additional, more detailed information on Fences, please click HERE. 

For an example of a site plan, please click HERE.

For information on Pool Demolition, please click HERE.