Pool Enclosure Permit

Effective September 23, 2009

Please note that all pool enclosure gates that adjoin any publicly used space, such as a City park, golf course, or backing on a street, are required to be lockable and locked at all times, except when the gate is being used for access to or egress from the subject property by the property owner, or by individuals having the property owner's consent to enter or leave the property.
Passed by City Council as By-law 2009-333 amending Pool Enclosure By-law 2001-259.

The Pool Enclosure By-Law No. 2001-259, as amended, requires every owner of a privately owned outdoor pool to erect and maintain an enclosure around their pool. Our prime concern is to make the pool inaccessible to small children.

The By-law states, "that no person shall construct or place a pool on his or her property without first obtaining a pool enclosure permit."

A pool is defined as

• A privately owned outdoor pool of water for swimming, bathing, wading or reflecting which is capable of retaining a water depth equal or greater than 600 mm (24”) at any point.

Permit Submission

Pool Enclosure Application Form [ pdf ]

Your completed application form must be submitted with the appropriate fee as noted in Permit Fees along with two sets of plans and specifications. Incomplete applications or drawings will not be processed. Permit application forms are available at all Client Service Centres.

The plan shall consist of a site plan indicating:

• the proposed location of the pool, and surrounding apron, and its distance from all lot lines, buildings and structures including all decks or sheds
  
  
• the location of all easements, rights-of-way, landscaping features, location of septic beds and tanks, where applicable or retaining walls
  
  
• the proposed location of pool equipment such as the filter, heater or pump
  
  
• the type and height of fence(s) to be constructed and the location of all gates, a detailed construction plan of the fence may also be required
  
  
• location of septic field, tank and wells, if applicable

Pool Requirements

The location of the pool and equipment is often regulated by your local zoning by-law. Staff is available to advise you of specific requirements in your area. Call 3-1-1 for information on zoning, and other approvals that may be required.

Enclosure (Fence) Requirements

Fences shall be designed and installed to reasonably deter children from gaining access to the fenced in area.

Every enclosure shall be at least 1.5 m (5’) in height and constructed of:

• Chain link
• Closed board or other approved design such that the fence is unclimbable. All openings through or under the fence shall be of a size to prevent the passage of a 100 mm (4”) spherical object. Construction details of the fence must be provided as part of your submission.
• For in-ground pools, a minimum distance of 750 mm (2’6”) is required between any part of the fence and the inside face of the pool wall assembly for a continuous distance of at least 50 per cent of the perimeter of the pool.

Although a survey plan is not a minimum submission requirement, it is highly recommended.

Other Considerations to Remember

• All gates must be equipped with a self-closing and latching device located at the top and inside of the gate.
  
  
• Where a wall of a building forms part of the enclosure, all doors shall also be equipped with self-closing, latching and lockable devices located a minimum 1.35 m (4’6”) above the door.
  
  
• All detached self-supported decks facilitating access to a pool that are greater than 10 square meters (108 square feet) require a separate building permit.
  
  
• Removable or swing type ladders used to access above-ground pools are not allowed as part of the required enclosure.
  
  
• Remember to keep all pools, filters and equipment off of any easements.
  
  
• If any electrical work is required, please ensure that a permit is obtained from the Electrical Safety Authority office at 1-877-372-7233.
  
  
• It is an owner's responsibility to "call before you dig". Contact the Ontario One-Call Service at 1-800-400-2255 to arrange for cable locates on your property.
  
  
• The installation of any pool and supporting apron should not change the drainage patterns within 4’0” of any property line. For pools or supporting aprons located within 4’0” of a property line, a grading plan to the satisfaction of the Infrastructure Approvals Division, is to be submitted with the Pool Enclosure application submission package.
  
  
• Hydro Ottawa regulates minimum clearances for above grade electrical conductors adjacent to and over pools. Contact 613-738-6418 for specific information.

For more information, please visit a City of Ottawa Client Service Centre or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401).

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