Chapter Number 92, Swimming Pools
CHAPTER 92: SWIMMING POOLS
Section
92.01 Definitions
92.02 Permit required
92.03 Plans to be submitted
92.04 Construction in accordance with approved plans; deviations
92.05 Permit fee
92.06 Design and construction requirements
92.07 Electrical requirements
92.08 Chemical treatment
92.09 Approval of other design and equipment
92.10 Location
92.11 Dangers to life and health prohibited
92.12 Safety precautions
92.13 Enforcement officers specified
92.14 Retroactivity
- 92.01 DEFINITIONS.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
PORTABLE SWIMMING POOL. A rubber or plastic swimming pool that can be erected without permanent support.
PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL SWIMMING POOL. Any constructed or assembled swimming pool or portable swimming pool which is used or intended to be used as a swimming pool in connection with group I occupancies as defined in the State Building Code and available only to the family of the householder and his or her guests.
SWIMMING POOL. Any structure, basin, chamber or tank constructed or designed to contain an artificial body of water for swimming, diving, relaxation or recreational bathing and having a depth of two feet or more at any point and with a surface area exceeding 150 square feet.
(Prior Code, § 41.01)
- 92.02 PERMIT REQUIRED.
No person shall construct or erect a private residential swimming pool or reconstruct any such pool or do any alteration, addition, remodeling or repair to such swimming pool in excess of the value of $100 without first obtaining a building permit. A permit shall be required for the re-erection of any such swimming pool which was once erected with permit or which was in existence at the date of the enactment of this chapter and then disassembled and which is not re-erected in the same location.
- 92.03 PLANS TO BE SUBMITTED.
(A) Plans and specifications and pertinent explanatory data shall be submitted with the application for a permit. No new plan shall be required for the re-erection of a pool according to a plan previously submitted. The plans shall be reviewed relative to design, operation and maintenance insofar as health and safety features are concerned in accordance with the standards prescribed in this section. The plans shall be drawn to a scale of not less than one-fourth inch per foot.
(B) The plans shall include the following data and such other information as may be reasonably requested by the Building Inspector:
(1) The general layout of the entire building lot on which the pool is to be located, including the distances of the pool from the lot lines, the location of any utilities and the location of any source of contamination within 50 feet of the pool;
(2) The dimensions of pool, including the effective length and width of the pool, pool decks and other similar items;
(3) The source of water supply and method of drainage, including all pipes, inlets, outlets and waste and discharge lines.
(Prior Code, § 41.03)
- 92.04 CONSTRUCTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPROVED PLANS; DEVIATIONS.
Swimming pools, appurtenances, water supply and drainage systems and other features shall be constructed in conformity with the approved plans. If any deviations from such plans are desired, a supplementary plan covering that portion of the work involved shall be filed for approval and shall conform to the provisions of this section.
(Prior Code, § 41.04)
- 92.05 PERMIT FEE.
The fee for a permit shall be determined by resolution of the City Council.
(Prior Code, § 41.05)
- 92.06 DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS.
The design and construction of all private residential swimming pools shall comply with the following requirements.
(A) Structural design. The pool structure shall be engineered and designed to withstand the expected forces to which it will be subjected.
(B) Overflow and surface drainage. The pool and surrounding area shall be constructed and arranged in such a manner that no splash or overflow water shall return to the pool. No surface or roof drainage shall be permitted to enter the pool.
(C) Finish. Pool floor and walls shall have a cleanable, white or similar light-colored and impermeable surface.
(D) Handholds. Handholds shall be provided and shall not be more than nine inches above the normal water line and shall extend around the entire periphery of the pool.
(E) Pool deck. Unobstructed deck areas not less than 48 inches wide shall be provided to extend entirely around the pool. The deck surface shall be such as to be smooth and easily cleaned and of nonslip construction. The deck shall have a pitch of at least one-fourth inch to the foot, designed so as to prevent back drainage into the pool. If deck drains are provided, drain pipe lines shall be at least two inches in diameter and drain openings shall have an open area of at least four times the cross-sectional area of the drain pipe. The deck drain system shall have indirect connection to the sanitary sewer. The deck drains shall not be connected to the recirculation system piping. No deck, other than the ground surface, shall be required for any pool that is totally above ground and which is less than four feet in height.
(F) Steps or ladders. One or more means of egress in the form of steps or ladders shall be provided from any pool having a water depth of 36 inches or more. Treads of steps and ladders shall be equipped with nonslip material.
(G) Plumbing. All supply and waste piping connected to such swimming pool shall be installed in accordance with the Minnesota State Plumbing Code.
(H) Water supply. The water supply serving the swimming pool shall be potable water or of a quality otherwise acceptable to the Commissioner of Health. All portions of the water distribution system serving the swimming pool and auxiliary facilities shall be protected against backflow. Water introduced into the pool, either directly or to the recirculation system, shall be supplied through an air gap in accordance with the Minnesota Plumbing Code. When such connections are not possible, the supply shall be protected by a suitable backflow preventer in accordance with the Minnesota Plumbing Code, installed on the discharge side of the last control to the fixture, device or appurtenance.
(I) Drainage.
(1) Pools shall be equipped with facilities for completely emptying the pool to the sanitary sewer or other suitable disposal unit acceptable to the Director of Inspections.
(2) There shall be no direct physical connection between the sewer system and any drain from the swimming pool or recirculation system. Any swimming pool or gutter drain or overflow from the recirculation system when discharged to the sewer system, storm drain or other approved natural drainage course shall connect through a suitable air gap or air break so as to preclude the possibility of backup of sewage or waste into the swimming pool piping system.
(3) The water from the pool shall not be drained onto the streets or sidewalks or any other public property or private property not owned by the pool owner.
(J) Heaters. All gas-fired or oil burning swimming pool heaters and boilers shall comply with the Plumbing Code and Heating Code of the city.
(Prior Code, § 41.06)
- 92.07 ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS.
(A) All electrical installations provided for, installed and used in conjunction with a residential swimming pool or portable swimming pool shall conform to the State Electrical Code.
(B) The following parts of swimming pools shall not be placed under existing service drop conductors or any other open overhead wiring; nor shall such wiring be installed above the following:
(1) Swimming pool and the area extending ten feet horizontally from the inside of the walls of the pool;
(2) Diving structure;
(3) Observation stands, towers or platforms.
(C) Any metal fences, enclosures or railings near or adjacent to a private residential swimming pool or portable swimming pool which might become electrically alive as a result of contact with broken overhead conductors or from any other cause shall be effectively grounded.
(D) When used to illuminate any swimming pool shall be so arranged and shaded as to reflect light away from adjoining premises.
(Prior Code, § 41.07)
- 92.08 CHEMICAL TREATMENT.
Gaseous chlorinating systems shall not be used as a disinfecting method for a private residential swimming pool or portable swimming pool. Below ground pools shall meet the requirements for recirculation, disinfection and water quality maintenance as required for public swimming pools as set forth in regulation MHD 115, filed with the State Department of Administration on August 4, 1971.
(Prior Code, § 41.08)
- 92.09 APPROVAL OF OTHER DESIGN AND EQUIPMENT.
Any swimming pool, the design and equipment of which incorporates features other than those set forth herein shall be subject to review and approval by the Director of Inspections and the Commissioner of Health in accordance with acceptable standards and in conformance with current public health and safety practices.
(Prior Code, § 41.09)
- 92.10 LOCATION.
No portion of a swimming pool or appurtenances thereto shall be located from the lot line at a distance less than that required for side yards for a one-story building as set forth in the zoning code.
(Prior Code, § 41.10)
- 92.11 DANGERS TO LIFE AND HEALTH PROHIBITED.
No private residential swimming pool or portable swimming pool shall be used, kept, maintained or operated in the city if such use, keeping, maintaining or operating shall be the occasion of any nuisance or shall be dangerous to life or detrimental to health.
(Prior Code, § 41.11)
- 92.12 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.
(A) A skilled swimmer shall be present at all times that the swimming pool is in use.
(B) Every pool shall be equipped with one or more throwing ring buoys not more than 15 inches in diameter and having 60 feet of 3/16 inch Manila line attached and one or more light but strong poles with blunted ends and not less than 12 feet in length for making reach assists or rescues.
(Prior Code, § 41.14)
- 92.13 ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SPECIFIED.
The Building Inspector and the Commissioner of Health are authorized and directed to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter.
(Prior Code, § 41.13)
- 92.14 RETROACTIVITY.
The provisions of this chapter shall be applicable to all private residential swimming pools existing on September 1, 1977, except that §§ 92.02 through 92.05 and § 92.10 shall not apply unless such pool is disassembled.
(Prior Code, § 41.12)
