All pools constructed within the city shall meet the following requirements.
(A) Construction generally.
(1) Construction of pools shall be undertaken so as to avoid hazard, damage or considerable inconvenience to adjacent property.
(2) All wiring, installation of heating units, grading, installation of pipe or other construction shall be subject to inspection.
(3) Back-flush water or water from the swimming pool shall be directed onto the owner’s property or onto approved public drainage ways and shall not drain onto adjacent private land. Drainage onto public streets or other public drainage ways shall require written approval of the Public Works Director
(4) All swimming pool lighting shall be directed toward the pool and not toward adjacent property.
(5) Filling of swimming pools from fire hydrants, or other public facilities shall require approval of the Public Works Director.
(6) Swimming pool heaters shall have approved pressure relief valves.
(7) Gas piping shall meet all requirements of the Minnesota Mechanical and Fuel Gas Codes, Minn. Rules Chapter 1346.
(8) Overhead wires or services shall meet requirements of Article 680 of the National Electrical Code.
(9) Pool covers, whether they can be locked or not, do not alone meet public safety requirements if the cover is of the type that can collect and hold natural water.
(B) Fencing.
(1) The swimming pool, hot tub or spa area shall be surrounded with a barrier consisting of fencing, screening or other enclosure or any combination thereof, of sufficient density to prevent children from gaining uncontrolled access. If fences are used, they shall be at least four feet in height. The bottoms of the fences shall not be more than four inches from the ground, and no opening in the fence shall be larger than four inches. Only non-corrosive material and vertical slats may be used as fencing or screening.
(2) All fence openings or points of entry into the pool shall be equipped with gates or doors. The gates and doors shall be equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices placed at a height and location so as to be inaccessible to small children. The fence must be completely installed, less a 16-foot section (or larger, if approved by the Building Official) for construction access, prior to the footings inspection. The construction access must be blocked off with temporary fencing during periods when construction has ceased. The construction opening must be enclosed with permanent fencing prior to the final inspection.
(3) The following situations are exceptions to the fencing requirements of divisions (B)(1) and (B)(2) above.
(a) Fencing is only required around the ladder or entrance to an above ground swimming pool that is at least four feet above ground around the entire perimeter of the pool and has exterior walls that are non-climbable.
(b) Storable swimming or wading pools are exempt from the fencing requirements provided all means of access into the pool are removed and the pool is covered when it is not in use.
(c) Hot tubs or spas with a locking safety cover which complies with ASTM Standard F 1346-91 shall be exempt from these fencing requirements, provided the cover is locked at all times when the hot tub or spa is not in use.
(C) Life saving and emergency equipment. All private swimming pools shall have:
(1) Life-saving equipment consisting of at least:
(a) One ring buoy not more than 15 inches in diameter to which is attached a rope three-sixteenths inch in diameter and of a length at least equal to the greatest dimension of the swimming pool; and
(b) One life pole or shepherd’s crook type of pole, at least ten feet long and having blunted ends, shall be provided.
(2) Emergency flood lighting that is electrically connected to a different circuit than used by the pool. The emergency equipment shall be used for emergency purposes only.
(D) Location.
(1) Utilities. Swimming pools shall not be located within ten feet (measured horizontally) from underground or aboveground utility line. Swimming pools and perimeter walks shall not be located within any private or public utility, drainage, walkway or other easement.
(2) Single-family residential lots.
(a) For swimming pools constructed on single-family residential lots, swimming pools shall not be located within eight feet of any rear lot line nor within five feet of any side lot line nor within six feet of any principal structure or frost footing.
(b) Swimming pools shall not be located within any required front yard. The filter unit, pump, heating unit and any other noise-making mechanical equipment shall be located at least 25 feet from any residential structure on adjacent property and not closer than eight feet to any lot line.
(3) Multi-family residential lots.
(a) Public swimming pools and swimming pools constructed for use for more than one family are subject to rules and regulations of the state’s Health Department. For swimming pools constructed on multi-family lots intended for and used by occupants and guests of occupants of multi-family dwellings, no part of the water surface of the swimming pool shall be closer than 50 feet to any lot line and no pumps, filter or other apparatus used in connection with the pool shall be located closer than 50 feet to any lot line.
(b) 1. The swimming pool shall be adequately fenced to prevent uncontrolled access from the street or adjacent property, and contain the same features for access as set forth in division (B)(2) above. Adequate screening, including but not limited to landscape, shall be placed between the pool area and any adjoining single-family district lot lines.
2. All deck areas, adjoining patios or other areas used in conjunction with the pool shall be located at least 15 feet from any lot line in an adjoining single-family district.
(Ord. 252, passed 7-20-2005)