§ 52-832. Swimming pools.
(a)
Definition. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Private or residential swimming pool means an outdoor structure containing a body of water in a receptacle or other container having a depth for water at any point greater than 1½ feet located above or below the surface of ground elevation, used or intended to be used solely by the owner, operator or lessee thereof and his 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. The regulations herein shall also be applicable to hot tubs.
(b)
Exempt pools. Storable children's swimming or wading pools, with a maximum dimension of 15 feet and a maximum wall height of 15 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.
(c)
Permit required. Before work is commenced on the construction or erection of private or residential swimming pools or on any alterations, additions, remodeling or other improvements, an application for a swimming pool building permit to construct, erect, alter, remodel or add must be submitted in writing to the Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator. Plans and specifications and pertinent explanatory data should be submitted to the Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator 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. A fee of $25.00 shall accompany such application.
(d)
Construction requirements. In addition to such other requirements as may be reasonably imposed by the Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator, the Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator shall not issue a permit for construction as provided for in Subsection (b) of this section, unless the following construction requirements are observed:
(1)
All materials and methods of construction in the construction, alteration, addition, remodeling or other improvements and pool installation shall be in accord with all state regulations and codes and with any and all regulations of the City now in effect or hereafter enacted.
(2)
All plumbing work shall be in accordance with all applicable regulations of the City and all State codes. Every private or residential swimming pool shall be provided with a suitable draining method and, in no case, shall waters from any pool 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.
(3)
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 shall be in conformance with the State laws and City provisions regulating electrical installations.
(e)
Setbacks and other requirements.
(1)
Private swimming pools shall be erected or constructed on rear or side lots only and only on a lot occupied by a principal building. No swimming pool 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)
No swimming pool shall be located, constructed or maintained closer to any side or rear lot line than is permitted in this chapter for an accessory building, and in no case shall the water line of any pool be less than five feet from any lot line.
(f)
Draining and approval thereof. No private swimming pool shall be constructed so as to allow water therefrom to drain into any sanitary sewer or septic tank 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. In all cases where a private swimming pool is to be constructed on premises served by a private sewage disposal system, approval of the State Board of Health shall be necessary before the construction of any such pool may commence.
(g)
Filter system required. All private swimming pools within the meaning of this article must have, in connection therewith, some filtration system to ensure 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.
(Code 1991, § 13-1-143; Ord. No. 03-01, § 1(9), 11-4-2003)