(a) Definition. A private or residential swimming pool is an outdoor structure containing a body of water in a receptacle or other container having a depth for water at any point greater than two (2) feet located above or below the surface of ground elevation, having an area greater than one hundred fifty (150) square feet, used or intended to be used solely by the owner, operator or lessee thereof and his/her family, and by friends invited to use it, and includes all structural facilities, appliances and appurtenances, equipment and other items used and intended to be used for the operation and maintenance of a private or residential swimming pool. Such pool is installed in such a manner that the pool will remain in place as a fixture throughout the full year and will be considered as a permanent or semi-permanent structure on the land.
(b) Exempt Pools. Storable children's swimming or wading pools, with a maximum dimension of fifteen (15) feet and a maximum wall height of twenty-four (24) inches and which are so constructed that it may be readily disassembled for storage and reassembled to its original integrity are exempt from the provisions of this Section. Inflatable pools of all types are exempt.
(c) Permit; Construction Requirements.
(1) Permit Required. Before work is commenced on the construction or erection of private or residential swimming pools or hot tubs or on any alterations, additions, remodeling or other improvements, an application for a swimming pool or hot tub building permit to construct, erect, alter, remodel or add must be submitted in writing to the Building Inspector. Plans and specifications and pertinent explanatory data shall be submitted to the Building Inspector at the time of application. No work or any part of the work shall be commenced until a written permit for such work is obtained by the applicant. The required building permit fee pursuant to the Village Building Code shall accompany such application.
(2) Construction Requirements. In addition to such other requirements as may be reasonably imposed by the Zoning Administrator, the Zoning Administrator shall not issue a permit for construction or installation of a swimming pool or hot tub unless the following construction requirements are observed and the fee as prescribed in Section 1-3-1 is paid:
a. All materials and methods of construction in the construction, alteration, addition, remodeling or other improvements for pool or hot tub installation shall be in accord with all state regulations and with any and all Ordinances of the Village of Edgar now in effect or hereafter enacted.
b. All plumbing work shall be in accordance with all applicable Ordinances of the Village of Edgar and all state codes. Every private or residential swimming pool or hot tub shall be provided with a suitable draining method and, in no case, shall waters from any pool or hot tub be drained into the sanitary sewer system, onto lands of other property owners adjacent to that on which the pool is located on in the general vicinity.
c. All electrical installations, including lighting and heating but not limited thereto, which are provided for, installed and used in conjunction with a private swimming pool or hot tub shall be in conformance with the state laws and Village Ordinances regulating electrical installations.
(d) Setbacks and Other Requirements.
(1) Permissible Locations. Private swimming pools or hot tubs shall be erected or constructed on rear or side lots only and only on a lot occupied by a principal building. No swimming pool or hot tub shall be erected or constructed on an otherwise vacant lot. A lot shall not be considered vacant if the owner owns the contiguous lot and said lot is occupied by a principal building.
(2) Setbacks. All swimming pools and outdoor hot tubs shall be at least ten (10) feet from any lot line or building, measured at the water line, unless designed and approved by the Village as an addition to a building.
(3) Prohibited Placement Areas. Swimming pools and hot tubs shall not be constructed in the front yard or in a required corner side yard.
(4) Area Calculations. Swimming pools either open or enclosed shall be considered the same as accessory buildings for purposes of calculating the maximum area they may occupy in a required rear yard.
(e) Enclosure.
(1) Fence; In-Ground Pools. All outdoor, below grade swimming pools shall have a fence or other solid structure not less than four (4) feet in height completely enclosing the pool with no opening therein (other than doors or gates) larger than three (3) inches square. All gates or doors opening through the enclosure shall be kept securely closed and locked at all times when not in actual use and shall be equipped with a self-closing and self-latching device designed to keep and be capable of keeping such door or gate securely locked at all times when not in actual use.
(2) Above-Ground Pools; Pool Wall Barrier.
a. An approved barrier shall consist of a solid wall of durable material of which the pool itself is constructed and shall extend directly above the vertical water enclosing wall of the pool. Such walls shall extend more than three (3) feet above the level of the ground immediately adjacent to the pool. Such a solid pool wall barrier shall not be located within six (6) feet of any other wall or fence or other structure which can be readily climbed by children. Every entrance to a pool, such as a ladder, must be secured or adequately safeguarded to prevent unauthorized entry into the pool.
b. The pool enclosure may be omitted where portable pools are installed above ground and have a raised deck around the entire pool perimeter with an attached enclosed railing a minimum of thirty-six (36) inches high on the top.
(3) Miscellaneous Requirements.
a. Swimming pools and hot tubs surrounded in whole or in part by a deck which has steps leading to the swimming pool or hot tub shall be equipped with a gate a minimum of four (4) feet in height and capable of being latched and locked with a combination lock or by a lock worked by a key to secure access to the swimming pool or hot tub when not in use.
b. Service gates and gates which are part of a fence or wall enclosing a swimming pool or hot tub which are located across a driveway shall be kept closed and latched at all times by the property owner or occupier when not in use for ingress or egress. When such areas are not in use, such gates shall be locked with a combination lock or by a lock worked by a key.
c. Hot tubs equipped with a fitted cover and capable of supporting a minimum of two hundred (200) pounds shall be exempt from required fencing.
(f) Draining and Approval Thereof_ No private swimming pool shall be constructed so as to allow water therefrom to drain into any sanitary sewer nor to overflow upon or cause damage to any adjoining property. Provisions may be made for draining the contents of any swimming pool into a storm sewer, but such installation shall be subject to prior approval by the Plumbing Inspector.
(g) Filter System Required. All private swimming pools within the meaning of this Chapter must have, in connection therewith, some filtration system to assure proper circulation of the water therein and maintenance of the proper bacterial quality thereof.
(h) Dirt Bottoms Prohibited. All swimming pools of a permanent nature shall have the sides and bottom of a smooth finish, and no sand or dirt bottom shall be permitted.
(i) Compliance. All swimming pools and outdoor hot tubs existing at the time of original passage of this Code of Ordinances not satisfactorily fenced shall comply with the fencing requirements of this Section or when water is placed in the pool. Enclosures on existing pools shall be inspected by the Building Inspector for compliance. Variations in enclosure requirements that do not adversely affect the safety of the public may be approved.