Chapter 12.36
SWIMMING POOLS
Sections:
12.36.010 Findings of council.
12.36.020 Pools to be fenced—Specifications generally.
12.36.030 Self-closing doors or gates.
12.36.040 Structural requirements—Approval of construction.
12.36.050 Submission and approval of pool plans.
12.36.060 Pools under construction.
12.36.010 Findings of council.
The City Council finds and determines that the maintenance of public and private swimming pools without appropriate precautionary measures constitutes a hazard to the safety of small children in the city. (Prior code § 25.1).
12.36.020 Pools to be fenced—Specifications generally.
Every person in possession of land within the city, either as owner, purchaser under contract, lessee, tenant, or licensee, upon which is situated a swimming pool, fish pond, wading pool, or any outside body of water created by artificial means, designed or used for swimming or other immersion purposes, any part of which is two (2) feet deep or more, shall at all times maintain on the lot or premises upon which such pool is located an enclosure surrounding such pool, or completely surrounding the lot or premises upon which such pool is located, a fence or other solid structure not less than five (5) feet in height and having no openings therein, other than doors or gates as hereinafter provided, larger than fifty (50) inches square, except that a rectangular opening having no horizontal dimension exceeding four inches may have a greater area. (Ord. 1062 § 9 (part), 2019: prior code § 25.2).
12.36.030 Self-closing doors or gates.
All gates or doors opening through the solid enclosure required by Section 12.36.020 shall, at all times, be equipped with a self-closing and self-latching device designed to keep and capable of keeping such door or gate securely closed at all times when not in actual use; provided, however, that the door of any dwelling occupied by human beings and forming any part of the enclosure hereinabove required need not be so equipped. The self-closing and self-latching devices shall be not less than fifty-four (54) inches above grade. (Ord. 1062 § 9 (part), 2019: prior code § 25.3).
12.36.040 Structural requirements—Approval of construction.
As a guide to structural adequacy the requirements for wire fencing are cited: Wire fences shall be constructed of wire mesh not less than 11-gauge galvanized steel wire supported on one and one-fourth inch diameter galvanized post spaced not over ten feet on centers. Posts shall be embedded at least twelve inches into concrete fill-in holes not less than six inches in diameter and eighteen inches in depth. If the building inspector finds that any other type of construction, such as wood or masonry, etc., has resulted in, or will result in, a fence in all respects the equivalent in strength and durability to the wire fencing requirements, such construction may be used. (Prior code § 25.4).
12.36.050 Submission and approval of pool plans.
All plans submitted to the city for swimming pools to be constructed shall show compliance with the requirements of Sections 12.36.010 through 12.36.040, and final inspection and approval of all pools hereafter constructed shall be withheld until all requirements of Section 12.36.040 have been complied with. (Ord. 1062 § 9 (part), 2019: prior code § 25.5).
12.36.060 Pools under construction.
During construction, pools shall be enclosed by a fence or solid structure with a height of sixty (60) to eighty-four (84) inches. The fence shall not have any openings larger than fifty (50) square inches other than a gate. Fences with rectangular openings having a horizontal dimension four (4) inches or less may exceed fifty (50) square inches. All gates leading into the area shall be self-closing and self-latching. The latch shall be at least sixty (60) inches above the ground. (Ord. 1093 § 10, 2022).