Sec. 24-465. Swimming pool regulations.
(a) Compliance required. It shall be unlawful to construct, maintain, install or enlarge any swimming pool in the Town except in compliance with all the provisions of this section.
(b) Location. No portion of an outdoor swimming pool shall be located at a distance of less than ten (10) feet from any side or rear property line or building line, and no less than twenty (20) feet from any existing dwelling unit on abutting property, nor at any other location where a structure is prohibited under the other terms of this zoning chapter. Pumps, filters, and pool water disinfection equipment installations shall be similarly restricted to the requirements of this paragraph. No swimming pools shall be located on an easement and all swimming pools shall be located beyond (towards the rear building line) the actual location of the furthest projection of the rear of any residence.
(c) Permit required. It shall be unlawful to proceed with the construction, installation, enlargement, or alteration of any swimming pool and appurtenances within the Town unless a zoning permit, electrical permit, and building permit have first been obtained from the Town in accordance with the procedures set forth in this chapter.
(d) Permitted uses. Private swimming pools shall be permitted in all open space and residential zoning districts and in other districts only by way of variance of use from the Board of Zoning Appeals.
(e) Size of swimming pools. Swimming pools installed on lots of less than twelve thousand (12,000) square feet shall not be greater than eight hundred (800) square feet. Swimming pools installed on lots between twelve thousand (12,000) square feet and twenty thousand (20,000) square feet shall not be greater than nine hundred (900) square feet. Swimming pools installed on lots of twenty thousand one (20,001) square feet or greater shall not be greater than one thousand (1,000) square feet.
(f) Drawings, plans, and permits.
(1) All drawings and plans for the construction, installation, enlargement, or alteration of any swimming pool and appurtenance shall first be presented to the building inspector for examination and approval as to proper location and construction.
(2) All such drawings and plans shall accurately portray the relevant lot lines and setback distances and include information as to the pool, walk, and fence construction, water supply system, drainage, and water disposal systems, and all appurtenances pertaining to the swimming pool. Detail plans and vertical elevations shall also be provided in accordance with all applicable building, plumbing and electrical codes.
(3) Once such drawings and plans are approved, the construction and location of the swimming pool and its appurtenances shall be constructed in strict conformance to such plans.
(g) Recirculation pools. All swimming pools shall be of the recirculation type in which circulation of the water is maintained through the swimming pool by pumps and the water removed from the swimming pool shall be clarified and disinfected before being returned to the swimming pool.
(h) Materials. Swimming pool walls and floors shall be constructed of any impervious material which will provide a tight tank with white or light colored finish and easily cleaned surfaces. The floor or bottom surface of the swimming pool shall have a non-slip finish as smooth as possible. The side and end walls of a swimming pool shall present a smooth finish and shall be vertical to a depth of at least six (6) feet or shall have a slope or curvature meeting one of the following conditions:
(1) The swimming pool may be vertical for thirty (30) inches from the water level, below which the wall may be curved to the bottom with a radius at any point equal to the difference between the depth at that point and thirty (30) inches; or
(2) To a depth of six (6) feet, except as in subsection (1) above, the wall's slope shall not be less than one foot horizontal in six (6) feet vertical.
(i) Structural design. The slope of the bottom of any part of a swimming pool in which the water is less than five (5) feet in depth shall be not more than one foot deep for each ten (10) feet of diameter. The maximum slope where water is five (5) feet or more in depth shall not exceed one foot in depth to every two (2) feet in diameter.
(j) Walk areas. Unobstructed walk areas of not less than thirty-six (36) inches shall be provided to extend entirely around any in-ground swimming pool. The walk area shall be constructed of impervious material and the surfaces shall be such as to be smooth and easily cleaned and of non-slip construction. The slope of the walks shall have a pitch of at least one-fourth (¼) inch to the foot, designed to prevent back drainage from entering the swimming pool.
(k) Fences. All outdoor swimming pools shall be completely enclosed by a fence. Any type of swimming pool may be enclosed by a fence, which provides a continuous barrier to the portion of the yard where the swimming pool is located. An in-ground swimming pool may be secured by an automatic locking cover as an alternative to such a fence. In all cases, the fence height shall be at least five (5) feet but no greater than six (6) feet in height above grade. A permanent fence shall be installed within thirty (30) days from the pool installation completion.
Retractable stairs, which are self-latching, are acceptable substitutes for closing gates. All fences openings or points of entry into the swimming pool area enclosures shall be equipped with gates. The gates shall be at least five (5) feet but no greater than six (6) feet in height above grade. All gates shall be equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices placed at the top of the gate. Fence posts shall be decay or corrosion-resistant and shall be set in concrete bases, or pursuant to manufacturer's specifications.
(l) Steps and ladders. In every in-ground swimming pool, at least two (2) or more means of egress in the forms of steps or ladders shall be provided. In every above-ground swimming pool, one ladder which can be removed or placed in such a position as not to allow entry into said pool shall be provided.
(m) Drains. Swimming pools shall be equipped with facilities for completely emptying the swimming pool and discharge of the swimming pool water to the storm sewer shall be at a rate not exceeding two hundred (200) gallons per minute. No direct connection shall be made to the storm sewer. Swimming pool pumps are an acceptable means for emptying a pool. Water drained from the swimming pool shall not be discharged into the storm sewer system during periods of rains or storms.
(n) Electrical requirements.
(1) All electrical installations provided for, installed, and used in conjunction with private residential swimming pools shall be in conformance with the Town electrical code.
(2) No current carrying electrical conductors shall cross private residential swimming pools, either overhead or underground or within five (5) feet of such pools.
(3) All metal fences, enclosures, or railings near or adjacent to swimming pools, which might become electrically alive as a result of contact with broken overhead conductors or from any other cause, shall be effectively grounded.
(o) Inspection. The building inspector and/or Code Enforcement officer periodically may inspect any swimming pools to determine whether or not the provisions of this chapter have been complied with and are being maintained.
(p) Permit fees. The fee for a permit for the erection or construction of a private swimming pool shall be as set forth in the Town permit fee schedule. Electrical fees shall be in addition to the foregoing fee.